The Prayer Of Faith

James 5:13-20

One of the most sound words of advice acknowledged by Luke in the New Testament says “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” These words were mentioned right before Jesus began to teach the parable of the “Unjust Judge”. If you’re not familiar with this story, it can be found in Luke 18:1-8. Christ understood, keeping in constant communication with the Father, was essential to maintaining the right balance of natural, and holy living. God knows all, created all, and understands all, so the more we come to Him with whatever issue, the better we’ll understand His purpose for allowing it, and how to handle it.

Our text also gives a powerful word of wise counsel, as it states, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (vs. 16b). While prayer involves communicating with God, in order for God to hear, or even acknowledge your words, a couple of things must first be dealt with. First of all, we should always approach God with a pure heart, and good intentions. If there is any sin in our hearts, we should confess our faults, and the Lord will save us. Second, when we pray, it must be done in faith. Praying without faith is, praying amiss, and God doesn’t acknowledge unfaithful requests. Many times, people come before God with doubt, fear, unbelief, or discouragement, but these things must be put aside, so that one won’t lose heart when seeking to receive an answer from the Father.

Because of Christ, we have a right to approach God, despite with the enemy says or does to convince us otherwise. Prayer is powerful and super effective, and when it becomes a customary pattern, the life of those who pray will become increasingly focused, and appealing in the eyes of God.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

I Swear!

Matthew 5:33-37

Growing up in my neighborhood, when disputes broke out between the fellas, to convince someone that they were serious about the point they were attempting to make, they would say things like, “I swear before God”, or “I put my mother on it!” These phrases were used as a means to express the seriousness one felt, concerning their stance on the matter at hand.

Swearing wasn’t something that started in the 80’s, but was a way by which men made oaths, even during Bible days. According to biblical definitions, to swear is to affirm, promise, or threaten with an oath. Making vows, or promises are taken serious by God, and should not be done with false intentions. In our text, Matthew acknowledged Jesus’ words on how the ole’ school men of their day, would often perform oaths to the Lord, many of which they failed to keep. But, Jesus recommended that all men refrain from swearing altogether; whether it be by heaven, earth, or the holy city of Jerusalem.

God prefers that we prove what we believe about Him through our works, and not our words. Oftentimes, we speak more idle words, while doing little to back them up. To those who are in the body of Christ, keep all communication holy, acceptable to God, and to the point.

The apostle Paul taught his spiritual son Timothy, “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness”. The more we speak words that are unprofitable for our spiritual growth and development, the more we’ll increase our chance to make mistakes. Keep yourselves aligned with the will of God, and keep your conversations pure, so that the words of Scripture can flow freely from your lips, and save those who are lost.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

Material Love

Micah 3:1-3, 9-12; 6:6-8

When a man finds interest in a woman, he first attempts to learn the things she likes, so that he can present them to her, in hopes of gaining her favor. Traditionally, women were fond of flowers, candy, and wholesome conversation, but things have changed drastically from the days of old, until now. When the man finally gains the woman’s attention, it’s important that he continue doing those things she appreciates, so that she’ll always hold him in high regard. It’s unfortunate how some men get the girl they want, but lose interest after getting too comfortable with her. All the flowers, cards, candy, and sweet nothings he use to whisper in her ear, get replaced with petty disagreements, and more time spent with the boys, and less time with her. If, perhaps, the man finally comes back to his senses, it’ll take more than material things to regain the woman’s favor once more.

When a man gives his heart to God, it’s a beautiful beginning to a great relationship. Babes in Christ are often on fire, and bubbling with joy, for their newly converted lives in God. The first few months are usually when people are more focused, and tuned in to learning about the Lord, and what He expects from them. Many try hard, and do all they can, to prove how committed they are to God. As time passes, and the babes go through the highs and lows of being a Christian, some have a tendency to pull away from God, and revert back to their former lives (the times that seemed more fun). In the event, the rebellious believers have a change of heart, and seek to come back to God, their material gifts won’t do them any good. Giving God tithes, offerings, sacrifices, or anything of the sort, proves nothing of your changed heart. Instead, to prove to God that you’ve changed your ways, you must only “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” (vs. 8b).

Those simple requirements may not seem to be much in the eyes of men, but living a consistent life of humility, mercy, and righteousness, is all it takes to reestablish the bond between God the father, and His children.

Walk in love,

Ell

Elkanah attends the yearly sacrifice

1 Samuel 1:21-23

In a marriage, it’s of great importance that both partners establish a healthy rapport between each other, early on. To add to this, communication, and understanding should be at the forefront of any successful relationship.

Elkanah and Hannah were a blessed couple, who put God first before all else, and from their faithfulness, God provided for them abundantly. Even after suffering through years of shame and barrenness, God eventually answered the prayer of Hannah to bring forth a child. When we pray, the purpose behind our words should be to bring glory to the name of the Lord. This is because, if we want God to give us His blessings, it should be for something He’d approve of, and not for selfish reasons. Hannah prayed to God, and made a vow that reads, “O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head” (vs. 11). That’s a powerful thing to pray. She had been barren all her life, ridiculed, taunted, and verbally abused, then asked God to give her a child, only to give it back to Him. What a rare breed of woman, to have the understanding that only in God, can a child be used to their full extent. Parents have children today and get them involved in so many things that have little, or nothing to do with godliness, then wonder later on, why they can’t keep them from climbing on walls, and acting like Power Rangers. My advice to all those planning to have children someday (or already have them) is, dedicate your kids back to God, and allow Him to use them in a way that fulfills His purpose.

After having the baby, and nursing him, Elkanah was preparing to take his family to Shiloh, to offer unto the Lord his yearly sacrifice. His intentions were to bring both his wives, and all their children on the journey, but Hannah asked if she could remain home with little Samuel, so that she could wean him, then later on, bring him before the Lord, and leave him there as she had previously promised. Elkanah was consecrated to God enough to allow his wife to fulfill her vow, because he could have legally canceled her request, but discerned that it was necessary to leave her be. How many times have you promised someone something, then actually followed through when the time of fulfillment had come? Are you one of those persons who makes promises, just to get what you want, then forget about the one who blessed you, or are you mature enough to follow-through with your words? Hannah made a promise to God, and made sure to follow-through, because she was overly grateful just to bring forth a child, and realized that God would indeed use her child to do great things in the earth.

Walk in love,

Ell

Settle differences face to face

Matthew 18:15-20

One of the most critical moments the body of Christ experiences is, when members are at odds against each other, and resolution isn’t always guaranteed. We are to love God, keep His commandments, love our neighbors, and walk faithfully in our calling, but times will arise when believers will bump heads with each other, and need to quickly, and peacefully resolve their issue, before matters progress. There’s one thing the enemy takes great pleasure in, and that’s seeing God’s children fight and bicker with one another. Unity is key for the effective progression of the church, but when discord is sown, this can stunt growth in churches, thus causing members to scatter and possibly lose faith.

Jesus left an example in our text that shows how believers should handle personal conflicts, and settle disagreements. He said, if your brother, or anyone of the same faith, sin against you, it’s your right to go, and tell them their fault. This is to be done in private, and only between the two of you. News spreads fast, especially amongst the body of Christ, so God prefers to avoid exposing drama by keeping it suppressed to those involved. Jesus continued to teach, if your offender actually hears, and accepts that they messed up, then you’ve gained them, or settled your differences. If only this was the case in all disputes, then life would be much more peaceful. Unfortunately, not everyone is mature enough to own up to their mistakes, and in this case, Jesus advised us to bring one or two more people with us to confront our offender, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established. It’s so much easier to simply admit that you messed up, apologize, then move on, but some people prefer to be stiffnecked and harden their hearts for reasons unknown to me. If you truly love God, you’ll make honest efforts to seek peace, and pursue it in all your human interactions.

In the age of social media, it’s rare that men talk face to face to settle disagreements, because they would prefer to text, or use Facebook and Instagram, but real man talk things out, and accomplish more by being in each other’s presence, rather than hiding behind a cell phone. For those who refuse to “man up” to their error in the presence of two or three witnesses, Jesus instructed us to take things up with the entire church. How embarrassing is that, to have your business exposed to the whole church body, when you could have dealt with things in private? To make matters worse for the offender, if they chose not to hear the church, they were to be treated as heathens and publicans. In other words, the church was not to engage with any religious communion with him until he repented. After he repents, the church is to forgive him, and remember his sin no more.

As a believer, what methods do you take to settle differences among your brothers and sisters? Do you bicker and hold grudges against them when they offend you, or do you approach them in love, seeking only to bring peaceful resolution, so that the two of you can continue fighting the good fight?

Walk in love,

Ell

Married and devoted to the Lord

1 Corinthians 7:1-7, 32-35

Marriage is a beautiful thing, but not everyone will share in its experience. There are many who prefer to live the single life, and focus all their attention on the things of God. Paul offers this advice when he says, “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.” In other words, he advised that the people remain single, because the unmarried Christian can care for the things of the Lord without distraction, and how he may please Him. This is very true, because when you’re not in covenant with a husband or wife, you can devote majority of your time to serving God with not much to hold you back, except maybe a job or something.

But as I mentioned in the previous lesson, marriage offers great benefits that aren’t bestowed to those who are single. Proverbs 18:22 reads, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.” God gives special favor to those united in holy matrimony, because He instituted it from the beginning. In their devotion to God and one another, the apostle Paul warned the Corinthian couples against allowing their union to effect their relationship with God. While it’s known that the married man or woman has many responsibilities in caring for one another, as well as their family, they must be mindful to have a healthy balance of family time, and time for God.

A family with God at the center, is a force to be reckoned with. When the husband and wife continue instant in prayer, fasting, and holy living, their children take note of how they live. The godly parents train up their children according to the word of God, so when they grow up and start feeling themselves, they’ll never forget what they were taught. A healthy marriage is important, not only to the children in the home, but also to friends, coworkers, and the community. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. This means he should love and respect her in the home, and everywhere else. It’s bad when the Christian man tells his boys all the things his wife doesn’t do right. This sets a bad example of how men should treat their wives. Women also should willingly submit to their husbands, not as slaves, but as help meets. It takes communication and teamwork to make a marriage work, so be sure to keep God at the center so that all problems are resolved the right way, and both the man and woman can can grow from their experiences, rather than argue and bicker at each other.

The world takes note of how the body of Christ conducts themselves in marriage. So love your spouse the right way as you represent God in your relationship.

Seek peace,

Ell