Hollow Man

Matthew 6:1-4

It’s easy to do what’s right for recognition and praise. To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good deeds quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says, we should check our motives in generosity, prayer, and fasting. Those acts should not be self-centered, but God centered; done, not to make us look good, but to make God look good. The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it. Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice.
The term hypocrite used here means, a person who does good acts for appearances only – not out of compassion, or other good motives. His actions may be good, but his motives are hollow. These empty acts are his only reward, while God will reward those who are sincere in their faith.

-Life Application Study Bible (pg. 1566)

Just A Touch 2

Matthew 14:34-36

Throughout His ministry, Jesus was constantly on the move, traveling from place to place, doing the works of His Father. His purpose was to reach and teach as many as He could, during the time He would spend on the earth.

After revealing another dimension of His power by way of walking on water, and being acknowledged a second time as the Son of God, Jesus and those who followed Him, went to a land called Gennesaret. This fertile land was north of the shore of Galilee, and was known for producing both temperate and tropical fruits. This particular area was also brimming with people who suffered sickness and disease. So, when the men of the land recognized the man among them was Jesus, they quickly spread word to all the country, to bring all who were diseased to Jesus.

The most interesting point in this story seems to relate to the woman who had the issue of blood. I’m not 100 percent certain there’s a relation with the woman and the people of Gennesaret, but all who came to Jesus, sought only to touch the hem of His garment for their healing, so word of the woman’s story may have spread to this land as well. These sick folk had enough faith to believe, only a touch of Jesus’ clothes, would bring their healing. Mercifully, their faith was in the right place, for all who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment were made perfectly whole. Jesus didn’t perform half healings, but His manifestations were total and permanent.

Jesus healed according to the faith of those who came to Him, so all who desired healing, sought total deliverance and restoration. When you come to God, do you seek partial deliverance, or do you want God to give you a total and complete manifestation of those things your heart desires? Reach out in faith, and touch Jesus, so He can make you whole again.

Solitude On Hold

Matthew 14:1-21

Losing someone you love, is never an easy thing to handle. In fact, many who’ve lost loved ones have given in to sadness and depression, so much to the point they’ve allowed idleness and stagnation to dominate their days. While there are numerous ways people cope with death, nothing is ever certain to bring joy to a heavy heart. Personally, when dealing with losing someone close, I often try to keep myself busy with work, or other things that occupy the time. This is because, the longer I sit idle, the more my thoughts will run rampant over things I wish I had said or done differently, while my loved one still lived.

After reading the lesson text, I was brought to tears while recognizing how Jesus dealt with losing someone, just as many of us do today. When the disciples brought word to Jesus, that his cousin John the Baptist had been killed, He sought the quickest way to get away from everyone. Jesus, the Son of the true and living God, sought solitude after the news of John. Being all powerful, and the creator of all things, how was Jesus subject to like passions as we are? This is proof, our Savior understands our hurts, pains, and struggles. He feels what we feel, and copes in ways we seek as well.

Unfortunately, when trying to distance Himself from people, many heard where He had fled, then followed Him on foot, out of many cities. Jesus was hurting, and needed time to heal, but after seeing the great multitude that followed, He was moved with compassion toward them. Have you ever been in a situation, when your heart was beyond heavy, yet you had compassion on someone else? Jesus was truly God in the flesh, and didn’t allow His present suffering, to forfeit blessing those who diligently sought Him.

As the story continues, Jesus fed over 5,000 people from two fish, and five loaves of bread. When we go through seasons of hurt, pain, and shame, we must be strong, and keep our focus, because God may decide to use us, to help someone else get through their hard season. Jesus is a loving and caring person, so remember, when you’re suffering, He’s moved with compassion for you too.

Too Good To Keep!

Matthew 9:27-31

Is there ever a time when it’s okay to “not” obey the words of the Lord? For many, this question would be answered with an absolute “NO”, because the Bible teaches us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only. We also learn from the Scriptures, those who hear the word and keep it, are blessed. Now that the foundation has been established, that men ought to always obey the words of the Lord, how could it be possible for anyone to get a pass for not doing as the Lord commanded?

Our text reveals a time, when Jesus was beginning to make known His power and authority amongst those who gathered in His presence. While the Son of God chose to keep a low profile, and shun popularity, His profound teachings and miraculous works caused many to seek Him for various reasons. After casting demons from a man, healing a woman with an issue of blood, and raising a ruler’s daughter from her death bed, Jesus was approached by two men suffering from blindness. The men obviously heard about Jesus and His reputation, so they both cried to Him, asking for mercy. Unlike the previous miracles performed by the hands of Jesus, these men were handled a bit differently. After crying out for help, Jesus continued walking toward His destination (many suggest Matthew’s house). Why would Jesus continue walking away from the men, rather than turn toward them, and heal them? Interesting, isn’t it? The two blind men followed Jesus into the house (obviously being led by some from the crowd), then stood before Him. Jesus asked, “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” In other words, “do you guys really believe I can heal you?” The men responded with a confident, yes Lord! So, Jesus touched their eyes, and healed them, according to their faith.

Rather than respond immediately to the blind men’s plea, Jesus waited to see if they had faith. There will be times when it seems as if God is taking His sweet time to answer our prayers, but He’s oftentimes monitoring us, to see if we’ll keep our faith in Him, or give in to our issues. The blind men were persistent, and would not allow anything to stop them from claiming their healing.

This is such a beautiful Bible story, but how does it relate to my initial question? After receiving their sight, Jesus told the men to keep this news to themselves, and not spread word of their healing to others. This word from Jesus seemed almost unfair. How could anyone who received a miraculous healing from Jesus, not share their message of deliverance with others? It’s possible, Jesus was seeking to keep His identity unknown to His enemies as long as possible, so He didn’t want the fame men attempted to attach to His name to spread. Another possible reason for keeping this act quiet could be, because Jesus didn’t want to only be known as a worker of miracles. Whatever the reason, the men left and spread word of their healing throughout all their country, doing the opposite of what Jesus told them to. So, were they wrong for sharing their good news with others?

Seeing Is Believing

Mark 4:35-41

What could possibly be better than hearing about miracles and other unbelievable moments that took place in the lives of others? Any story you could ever hear, or read about, pales in comparison to actually witnessing a miraculous event with your own eyes. A miracle can be defined as, a wonderous event, that cannot be explained by scientific or natural laws. For this reason, many conclude, miracles are the workings of divine agencies, or higher powers.

In our text, large crowds had begin to follow Jesus, because they had heard of the miracles brought forth by His hands, and were intrigued by His teachings, through the parables. Jesus was wise enough to understand those who gathered around Him, so much that He didn’t speak in ways to confuse them. Instead, His parables were a way to challenge His listeners to seek diligently, the meaning of His words. Not only were the words Jesus spoke undoubtedly profound, but the works He performed were undeniably miraculous.

As the sun began to set, and evening approached, Jesus desired to pass over on the other side of the water, from the ship He taught from. So, the men who were with Jesus, sent the multitudes away, and they set sail toward the other side. While on their way across the sea, the Bible mentions a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the ship, until it was full of water. Picture yourself on a ship, in the middle of a devastating storm, with some of your coworkers, friends, and family members. How would you react in this situation? Now, picture yourself in this same storm, but substitute your family, friends, and coworkers with Jesus, the Son of God. How would you react then? The men on the ship began to lose themselves for, fear that they would die. Fortunately, they were wise enough to acknowledge Jesus on the ship, but only to share their faithless cries. I’m certain these men were eyewitnesses of the miracles Jesus performed earlier in the Gospel of Mark, and had grown in wisdom and understanding from His teachings, so how could they allow fear to so easily beset them, knowing the man they saw perform miracles was on the same ship as they were? In any case, Jesus recognized their lack of faith, rebuked the wind, and spoke peace to the sea. Wow, what a guy!

As if they weren’t already fascinated by the works of Jesus before, this miraculous event caused exceeding fear to come over the men. They then begin to say to one another, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” I’ll answer that question for those faithless men. Jesus is a man, come to the earth from the third Heaven, sent by the Father, to save mankind from sin, and themselves.

God knew we would have storms in our lives, even to this day, and we can either cower in fear, as the men in our lesson did, or trust that Jesus cares for you, just as he did for the disciples on the ship, thousands of years ago. The men in our text spent countless moments with Jesus, yet they still underestimated Him. Don’t make the mistake of doubting what the power of God can do in your life. Instead, believe what you witnessed Him perform in your life, when He saved you from a miserable path of sin, cleaned you up, then set you on a path of righteousness, for His name’s sake.

“God still works miracles, but until He does again, keep the faith, and don’t fret when the storms of life beat upon your sailing ship.” – Ell

From Suffering To Praise

Acts 4:13-22

The power of God working through the apostles in the New Testament, was typically accepted by the crowds of onlookers, yet shunned by men who were of distinct sects including Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees. These men were religious leaders, who held fast to the traditions of men, more than obeying the words of the Lord. Unlike the other heretical groups, the Sadducees did not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and were vocal (in our text) in acknowledging their distaste with Peter’s teaching through Jesus, and the resurrection from the dead.

In the previous chapter, Peter had healed a crippled beggar who was lame from birth, which caught the attention of many who witnessed the man walking, leaping, and praising God, all the way to the temple. There are many today, who receive a great blessing from God, then turn around and continue in their sin, but the man who was healed, took a straight path to church, after receiving his miracle! Many who heard the words of Peter (while teaching in the temple) totaled nearly 5,000! Wowzer!

After those pesky rulers arrived to the temple, they inquired by what power Peter healed the man. Peter’s response was led by the Holy Ghost, and threatened the religious leaders, who were more concerned with their reputations and positions, than the mighty works of the Lord. Rather than accepting the fact that an obvious miracle had taken place in a man who was lame over 40 years, coupled with the fact this event was also witnessed by many who knew the man, the Sadducees and rulers tried hard to find something to accuse the apostles for. The evidence of a miracle was irrefutable and overwhelming, yet the religious leaders refused to submit to Christ, and continued their efforts to suppress the truth.

How much more evidence does God need to reveal to you, before you surrender your life to Him? The obvious miracle is, we’re still alive, and in decent health, but God has much more in store for those who submit themselves to His will. Don’t be like the Sadducees and religious rulers, who witnessed God’s great work with their own eyes, yet rejected His way. Instead, yield yourselves to the Father, and allow Him to perform great works through you, as you live according to His purpose in the earth.

They Should Have Picked Me!

Acts 6:1-7

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of, “They Should Have Picked Me!” Starring, The Twelve Apostles, and the group of unnamed Disciples! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Loud, and disturbing crowd chatter amongst the unsettled church members)

One of the 12: Alright, alright, calm down everyone. What seems to be the reason for all this unusual commotion?

Grecian Disciple: Good sirs, we understand that you are busy doing the Lord’s work; preaching, teaching, and healing, but while you are busy doing all those wonderful things, no one is tending to our widows during the time of daily ministration.

Crowd: YES YES, WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED JUST AS FAIR AS THE HEBREWS.

One of the 12: Hmm… I understand, but we must continue doing as God leads us, and it would be unwise for us to stop teaching, in order to partake of the daily ministration, so to avoid this problem again, we will allow you to select seven men with good reputations, and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, to manage daily ministrations.

Crowd: Yes, that’s a great idea. Who should we choose?

(The seven that were chosen were Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas)

One of the 12: Alright, now that we have that situation under control, we will continue in prayer and ministering the Word to all men. To the seven who were chosen, we lay hands on you, and pray that God use you to do His will, and that you fulfill your duties to the best of your ability.

Crowd: Amen. Amen. Amen.

(Crowd disperses, except one ungrateful disciple)

Ungrateful Disciple: Hey!! Wait!! Why wasn’t I selected to be chosen to serve the people? I’ve been faithful since I gave my heart to God?

One of the 12: Calm down young man. What is your problem?

Ungrateful Disciple: What’s my problem? What’s my problem? Do you know who I am?

One of the 12: Umm… not really, sorry

Ungrateful Disciple: I deserve to be among the seven selected to manage the daily ministration.

One of the 12: And why do you feel this way?

Ungrateful Disciple: Well, because I think I meet all the qualifications. And, I’ve served as a faithful disciple consistently.

One of the 12: Although you may meet the qualifications, shouldn’t you be in support of your fellow brethren who were selected, and continue doing those things pleasing to God from where you currently stand?

Ungrateful Disciple: Yeah, well, I guess you’re right, but I feel like I could do the job.

One of the 12: I understand son, but the fact that you weren’t selected doesn’t mean you can’t do the job. In fact, maybe God has something else He wants you to do in the church. Have you considered that thought?

Ungrateful Disciple: Now that you’ve mentioned it, maybe you’re right. Instead of getting frustrated with the fact that I wasn’t chosen to serve in that area, I should be happy for the men who were, and offer all the support they need to be successful. And, if God selects me to do something else, I’ll want the brethren to have my back as well.

One of the 12: You got it son. Well done. Now, keep that positive attitude, and go serve the Lord.

Ungrateful Disciple: Thank you sir, I most certainly will.

*We won’t always be selected to do special jobs in the kingdom, but we should not faint, nor lose heart when others are chosen, instead of us. God can get the most of us no matter what position we hold in His kingdom. Be grateful wherever God places you, and work diligently to see that His purpose is fulfilled in your life. Never hate on those who God calls to do special assignments, rather support them and keep them encouraged, because the work they do always comes with hard challenges.

“Stay in your lane, and let God bless you from there.” – Ell

Your sins are forgiven

Luke 5:20-26

Why is forgiveness so important to God, and why can’t we be joined to Him, except our sins be removed? First of all, God is holy, and cannot be joined to that which is contrary to His very being. The glory of God shines bright, and His righteousness exudes with holiness, but sin stains that which is holy, and makes it defiled in the eyes of God. The Bible teaches, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In order for God to get the most out His most prized creation, He had to make a way for them to be cleansed spiritually, and redeemed back to Himself.

Sin separates man from God, and causes Him to turn a deaf ear to them. Forgiveness is important for many reasons, but most importantly, to keep man in a position to be used by God, and receive His goodness continually.

In our text, Jesus was presented an opportunity to put the power of God on full display, as His fame began to spread across the lands. During a time when He revisited Capernaum, Jesus took a moment to teach in the midst of a mixed crowd, including Pharisees, doctors, and men from every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. Verse seventeen of this chapter mentions, “the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” That’s an interesting verse on many levels, and I’d love to break it down, but I’ll digress on that topic until another lesson. As Jesus taught, with God’s healing power present, His environment was abruptly disturbed by men who broke through the roof of the house, so that they could lay their paralyzed friend before Him, to be healed. The men tried entering the house through other ways, but were unable to, because of the multitude of people surrounding the place. They were fully convinced, by faith, that if they could only reach Jesus, then their friend would be healed. How many friends do you have, who would go to the extreme, so that you could be delivered from something? Are you that friend who would break through tradition, and social barriers, so the ones you care for can find peace and relief? After the men lowered their friend from the roof, and in the middle of where Jesus was teaching, He saw THEIR faith, then told the man his sins were forgiven. Jesus knew the man needed healing, but more important than physical healing is soul salvation. Once the soul is saved, God can work wonders in the physical. There are countless men and women who have excellent physical health, but will find themselves in eternal damnation. After gut-checking the scribes and Pharisees for doubting that Jesus shared the same power as God the Father, He then told the redeemed man to rise up, carry the couch that once carried him, then go home. The man immediately sprung up, took his couch, then glorified God on the way to his house.

These are the type of feel-good stories in Scripture that should inspire all men to reconsider how they’re living. Salvation was made available to everyone, and God doesn’t have favorites, so all can receive redemption. God has the power to save, and to heal, because nothing is too hard for Him to do, but our faith in His power is what makes the difference. While you may be seeking God for healing manifestation in your natural body, check to see if your soul is healed first. Once you have confirmed your salvation with God, through Christ, then you can freely receive all the benefits that come with His absolutely amazing power!

Walk in love,

Ell

Jesus seals the New Covenant

Mark 15:6-15, 25-26, 33-39

Are you easily influenced by the opinions of others? Do you tend to trust the word of those around you concerning issues, without discovering the facts for yourself. There are people all over the globe who are easily beguiled into following the beliefs of others, over choosing to learn the truth about a man for themselves. Even today, the masses who watch the news are swayed to judge a man based on how they are portrayed by the media, without knowing the truth behind the scenes. The Bible teaches that we are not to judge anyone, because our own lives are under the microscope daily, and we must ensure that we live up to godly standards in order to receive the reward promised in the end.

It’s always a dangerous thing to follow the crowd, especially during moments when you know little about a situation. An example of such idiocracy took place as Jesus was being judged by Pilate, before a crowd of senseless people. No matter the accusations presented against Jesus, Pontius Pilate could find absolutely no evidence that supported those false claims. Rather than develop their own opinions of Jesus, the crowd trusted more in the words of the wicked chief priests. Even when the option to release a prisoner was suggested to the people, they chose to release a known murderer, rather than a man who wasn’t proven as committing any crimes. The evil of men can be so convincing, until it can blind the eyes of almost anyone. This type of influence originated in heaven, when Lucifer managed to convince a portion of the angels to follow his leading of prideful ambition. When you’re not rooted in God, you become an easy target for satan to influence, no matter how strong you believe your own will to be. No man who ever lived has been able to subdue evil on their own strength. It takes the power of God to even stand a chance against the wiles of the devil.

After continuing to stir up the people vehemently, the chief priest finally got what they fought for, as Pilate released Barabbas, then sentenced Jesus to be crucified. During all their wrong-doing, and malicious intentions, the people were in no way sending Jesus to His doom, rather they paved the way so that He could seal the deal of the New Covenant of grace. Had Jesus not lived a sinless life and died, we would all be condemned to face the judgment of sin. Had Christ decided to pass the cup to someone else, the world would be doomed and destined to eternal damnation. Living in order to die for a sinful and heartless people couldn’t have been an easy thing to do, but Jesus looked pass the faults of men, and saw the needs they couldn’t see for themselves.

Walk in love,

Ell