Spice Girls

Matthew 5:13-16

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the exciting episode of, “Spice Girls” starring, Cinnamon, Paprika, Maple, Sage, and Rosemary. I’m your host HolyEll, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

Cinnamon: Hey Paprika, I hope all is well.

Paprika: Hey Cinnasugga! Thanks for calling. Girl you know I’m good. Spicing up life, as always! How are things on your end?

Cinnamon: I’m doing well. I’m currently seasoning some buns at the moment.

Paprika: Ooooo I absolutely love your cinnamon buns! They are yum yum yummy!

Cinnamon: Stop it, girl you’re making me blush.

Paprika: Really girl? You are blush lol.

Cinnamon: Funny lol. Anyhoo, I called to ask if you’ve heard from Rosemary. I’ve been trying to reach her for a few weeks, but no response.

Paprika: Now that you’ve mentioned it, it has been a while since I’ve heard from her. I think we last hung out at the “Gathering of the Spices” convention last month.

Cinnamon: (Sigh) Hold on for a second, I’m gonna call Maple.

Paprika: OK. I’ll buzz in Sage as well.

Maple: Hey Cinnamon! How are you?

Cinnamon: I’m keeping my spirits up. Paprika and Sage are on the line as well.

Maple: Hey girls!! Talk to me Cinnamon, tell me what’s going on.

Cinnamon: Well, I’m concerned about Rosemary. I haven’t heard from her in a while, and my concerns for her are growing. I asked the girls whether or not they had any contact with her, but nothing.

Sage: Yeah this is really bothering me. It’s not like Rosemary to distance herself from us. I haven’t heard from her since she called a few weeks ago to ask if it was safe to sprinkle her seasoning on baked chicken.

Cinnamon: Yeah girls, I’m worried. Wait..I have an idea. Let’s all go to her house and see if she’s there.

(Cinnamon picks up the other Spice Girls, then they head to Rosemary’s house)

(The girls arrive at Rosemary’s house)

Cinnamon: (Knock Knock) Hey, Rosemary, it’s Cinnamon and the girls. Are you here?

(Moments pass, then Cinnamon knocks again)

Cinnamon: (Knock Knock) Rose…

Rosemary: I’m coming… Hey there. What are you all doing here? Come in.

(The girls hug Rosemary as they walk in)

Maple: Hey Rose, good to see you.

Sage: Yes, where have you been? Is everything ok?

(The girls all gather in Rosemary’s living room.)

Rosemary: Well, I first want to apologize for ignoring all of you the past few days. I’ve been feeling down, and I think I’ve lost my flavor.

Sage: What?! What do you mean, lost your flavor? The world wouldn’t be the same without you, Rosemary.

Paprika: Exactly! Without you, who would bring life to so many great dishes?

Maple: Yeah girl, you are awesome! You’re especially effective when combined with grains, mushrooms, onions, peas, potatoes, and spinach.

Rosemary: I am humbled by your kind words, but I just feel I’m not as special as you all. Take Cinnamon for instance. Who can work wonders with bread, cookies, pumpkin, squash, or sweet potato pie, churros, and French toast? And who can make creamy pasta dishes flavorful like Sage? I just feel that I’m not good enough to flavor the world as you girls do.

Cinnamon: Rosemary, listen. I understand you are going through a difficult season, and we didn’t come here to judge you, but take a moment to consider all the things you’ve changed in the world. You have literally enhanced foods like chicken, lamb, pork, steaks, and fish. You bring flavor to food that neither of us can compare with. You may feel that you aren’t special, but you were made to make food better.

Rosemary: (Crying tears of joy and appreciation) Thank you Cinnamon, Sage, Maple, and Paprika. I shouldn’t have shut myself away from you. Instead, I should have come to you, rather than allow myself to fall into such a low state.

Paprika: Girl we are all special in our own way, and what I can do, I do it well, but what I can’t do, someone else is equipped to handle it.

Sage: Indeed Paprika. We all have our part to play in seasoning the earth. Just be appreciative of who you are, and focus on what your role is.

Maple: Rosemary, you are greater than you give yourself credit for. By the way, I’m working on a new syrup, and I was wondering if you could add a touch of your flavor to it.

Rosemary: Of course I will Maple. Cinnamon, thank you for encouraging me, and helping me see the value in who I am, and what I was made for. You girls are the best.

Cinnamon: That’s what I wanted to hear. Now let’s go bring flavor to the world.

*The Bible mentions in Matthew 5:13, we are the salt of the earth. But there are times when our potency becomes ineffective for various reasons. Whether we suffer a season of depression, low self-esteem, loss of job, unbalanced relationships, or financial woes, we must not lose our effectiveness in carrying out God’s will for our lives. We were all made special, and we’re also equipped with talents and abilities that help us in fulfilling the works of the Lord. So, during the times when you feel down, or unworthy to contribute to kingdom works, surround yourself with fellow believers, who can edify and build you back up with encouragement, and the power of their testimonies.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Spice Girls”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

Relax, God’s Got You

Psalm 37:1-8

Don’t stress yourself over evil people, and don’t envy those who involve themselves in wicked activities. Because, in time, their evil deeds will cease and they’ll fade away. Instead, trust in the Lord and continue doing good. Only then, will you become more established, and God will provide for all your needs.

Take strong pleasure in fulfilling the will of the Father, and He’ll in turn, give you your heart’s desires. Focus all your plans and ideas on godliness, trust God without wavering, and you’ll see those plans manifest. While serving the Lord diligently, He will make known your righteous deeds to others, so they’ll see the truth of your professed holiness, and understand why you live the way you do.

During difficult times, try your best not to stress, relax your mind, and wait patiently for God to work things out for you. Even when it seems as if wicked people are prospering and living the “good life”, trust and believe that God will deal with them, and take care of you…as long as you keep a level head, and refrain from doing evil during your struggle.

It’s hard to maintain good thoughts and pure intentions when life gets hard, but God sees your struggle, and has a time set to deliver you. So, while you suffer, focus on gaining all the strength, faith, wisdom, and knowledge you can from your situation, and be ready to help the next person who may be lined up to face a similar issue.

“Don’t give up, help is on the way.”

Blessed In The Mess

James 5:13-16

In a world of chaos and confusion, it can be hard, at times, to find things that bring joy to one’s heart. With the recent chaotic events including the U.S. Capitol building riot, the continued worldwide pandemic, and other news, people of all over the country are weighed down with a heavy heart. Aside from disheartening global events, many deal with daily personal struggles like sickness, depression, financial instability, and other issues. But, in the midst of all the chaos and confusion in the world, there are still things to give God thanks for.

While life is indeed hard for many, God has never stopped providing for His children. Those who remain in the earth and have fully committed themselves to following after righteousness, should not let the current state of the world weigh them down, because God has been beyond good to them. Believers should always acknowledge the fact that they have the precious gift of salvation. Without Jesus being the means by which our sins were forgiven, our living would be in vain. Aside from being delivered from sin, God allows us the liberty to study and meditate on His holy Word. I’m aware of those countries that make it hard for Saints to even receive Bibles, but for those who have the freedom to read it, should always be excited for the opportunity to do so. With how the world has been lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bibles were eventually taken away. For this reason, we should hide God’s Word in the depths of our hearts. This way, no man can ever take His Word away from us. Along with salvation and the Bible, Saints are deeply connected to the Holy Spirit of God. This Comforter is responsible for reminding the Christian of Jesus’ teachings, as well as guiding them along the righteous path.

Let’s recap. The world is literally falling apart, but the people of God can still rejoice in the fact that they are blessed in the midst of mess. God does bless His people with natural things, but never allow hard times to take your focus off your salvation, God’s Word, and the Holy Ghost. Learn to realize how blessed you really are.

Humbled Beginnings; Extraordinary Endings

Luke 2:21-24

As a child, I would often envy other children in school, who were fortunate enough to dress in the finest clothing, and flaunt the most expensive backpacks. Even the lunch boxes these particular kids brought to school were fancy, and were filled with all the goodies I yearned to enjoy. It’s hard for a child not to compare himself to those he’s in close proximity to, and oftentimes seeing them enjoy things his own parents probably couldn’t afford, could cause moments of sadness, and minor depression. As I grew older, and began to learn more about the knowledge of God, I gradually gained a better understanding of God’s perspective on humbled beginnings.

Just because one may grow up, not having things society deems as the best, doesn’t guarantee that person won’t have a prosperous, and fulfilling future. The perfect example of this biblical truth can be found in our lesson’s text. Thinking from a carnal perspective, one would assume, God would allow Jesus to be raised in a wealthy family; one that has relevance with the church, and with the world. A father sending His only Son, to live with a poor family, then die for wicked people, wouldn’t fair too well on the Lifetime Movie Network. They’d call that bad parenting. Fortunately, God knows everything, and He was well aware that His Son would stick to His divine plan, and not waver, no matter what His upbringing looked like.

From being born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes, to being presented to the Lord in Jerusalem, with a sacrifice of two turtledoves, Jesus, the Son of the living God, went on unhindered and consistent in His obedience to God’s unselfish, and life-saving plan for mankind. It’s because of the obedience of Christ, that all men can be forgiven of their sins, and become partakers of the same inheritance that belongs to Him. Speechless!

You may not have had the privileges others around you enjoyed during your lifetime, but never allow how others live, to determine how far you’ll go in life. Besides, just because people may have nice things, doesn’t mean they have peace in their hearts, and stable minds. Trust and believe, God will make your life worth living, even if you don’t think you’re worth it. If you could see yourself the way God does, you’d instantly change your way of living, for the better.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:8 – He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Romans 5:8 – But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:37-39 – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 John 4:16 – And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:7 – Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

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

Ell

What Time Is It?

Ecclesiastes 3:2-8

The human life is composed of a culmination of varying times, and seasons. One day we’re born, then 60 to 90 years later, we die. During those precious years of life, we experience seasons of good, bad, ugly, and unbelievable! Without the knowledge of God and His Word, the average person lives according to a preconceived social standard. It’s common for those who are lost, to set their affections on things of the earth, because their understanding of life is limited to their own wisdom, and what they gather as societal norms.

The average human goes through seasons of natural growth and development, education, puberty, sickness, health, weeping, laughing, celebrating, mourning, marriage, divorce, weight gain, weight loss, stress, depression, hair gain, hair loss, happiness, sadness, and a long list of other seasons of life. The Christian, on the other hand, experiences all those same seasons, but maintain a different outlook concerning them. While the lost soul lives through many seasons, with little to no hope for life after death, the children of God understand that seasons of suffering and times of plenty, are all used as a means to fulfill the will of the Father. I often mention, suffering comes as a package deal for the believer, because Christ endured the most intense suffering, as He hung and died for our sins. So, in order to walk in the ways of Christ, we too must endure seasons of trial and suffering also.

What many Christians fail to grasp is, seasons are just that, moments in time. Every season has a set time to accomplish what it was intended to do. In my life, I’ve experienced seasons I thought would never end, but God allowed me to learn and grow from within each season, so that my time of struggling and suffering would not have been in vain.

I have no idea what time it is in your life, nor what season God has you in at this moment, but know this; whatever you’re facing right now will only last for a season, and while you’re going through, take note of things you can learn, that will make you better after God brings you out. It may sound cliché, but God WILL bring you out of the season you’re in. Even if you’re experiencing times of joy and plenty, always be prepared to possibly face a scheduled season of humility.

Keep in mind, “This World Is Not Our Home”; we’re just passing through. So, don’t get too caught up in trying to live the “American Dream”, or hope to live in seasons of wealth and abundance only, but set your affections on things above, where your eternal season will be basking in the presence of God, and all His glory!

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

Ell

Unfaithful Friends

Job 19:1-7

In the midst of multiple horrendous and heartbreaking attacks from satan, the faithful Job was totally unaware of the initial conversation between God and the devil, that led to the unbearable events the Lord’s faithful servant was unwillingly forced to endure. The devil wanted to prove to God, that if He were to remove the hedge of protection from around Job, he would certainly turn against Him. By now, many should know how this amazing story eventually turned out, but if not, feel free to read the entire book of Job, for more in- depth understanding.

During his suffering, Job’s grief was amplified, when his homies felt the need to “vex his soul”. While it was one thing trying to understand losing literally everything, including his children, and his wife’s sanity, Job was troubled the more, listening to his friends constantly try to convince him that he was wicked, and his troubles were of his own doing.

One of the most powerful virtues of God’s Spirit is, discernment (the ability to see, perceive, and distinguish the meaning of things, even without complete understanding). Apparently, Job’s friends lacked this virtue, because had they been in tune to God’s plan, rather than scold and ridicule the humble servant, they would have offered words of comfort and encouragement instead. Imagine watching your whole life fall apart in literal seconds, then having to hear that everything was your fault, from those who you considered your closest friends.

Many in situations as this one, tend to isolate themselves, for fear of being hurt the more, even when being approached by those with good intentions. Job could not understand why his friends were breaking him in pieces with their words, but he should have been more concerned with the fact that he had not sinned, nor did anything to cause his pain, and shame. As humans, we often forget the obvious, when life dumps loads of weight on our shoulders. Those things that should be easy to understand, become hard, and cause us to stress, and lose focus.

There will be experiences in our lives, where God will allow the enemy to come against us; not to defeat us or keep us bound, but to reveal how focused our faith is in God. Job’s encounters were so severe, until he almost gave in to the pressure, but in the end, he endured, and God blessed him with more in the end, than he had before his suffering. Blessings are given by default, to those who are in God, but to those who endure intense trials and attacks from the devil, God will reward you with intense blessings in the end.

Walk in love,

Ell

Hannah is childless and suffering

1 Samuel 1:1-8

What do you do when God restricts you from being blessed, and doesn’t tell you the reasons behind His plan? In addition, how are you to deal with people who have more than enough, but rather than help you, or pray that God strengthen your faith, they make life more miserable for you by provoking you during your season of lack. That last thing anyone needs while they’re struggling is, for someone to make matters worse by giving taunting remarks about how blessed they are, and you’re not. Where I grew up, those are typical fighting words, but God has reason for doing certain things in the lives of certain people, and our lesson will reveal such a situation from the life of Hannah.

Hannah was one of two wives married to a godly man named, Elkanah. Polygamy was tolerated during this time under the law, but it was forbidden in the New Testament. I’m not sure why a man would desire more than one wife anyway, because it’s no easy task understanding just one (And all the men said, AAAAMEN). Throughout Bible history, having more than one wife usually ended in trouble, as it did in this lesson. Elkanah was faithful to God, and to his wives and children, but he had more love for Hannah, even though she was barren. The Bible reveals that “the Lord had shut up her womb”. Why would God do such a thing, especially to a good woman? God is all-knowing, and has the understanding to discern who will break under pressure, and who will stand strong until change comes. Just like Job, who endured more suffering than anyone in the history of life (next to Jesus), yet did not curse God, nor give in to the pressure, Hannah endured taunting and ridicule for years from the other wife Peninnah. Why this woman was so cruel to Hannah is not mentioned, but her true motives toward Hannah would never have been revealed, except that God allowed Hannah to suffer for a season.

Many of us today are suffering, but not because of anything we’ve done to cause it. God may be allowing a season of trouble, in order to reveal the hearts of those who are in our circle of trust. It’s possible God wants us to see who is really for us, and who could care less about us being blessed. People are fickle, and change like the winds, but God is consistently good, and will always keep our best interests in mind. He knows what we have need of, even before we ask, but if we endure suffering, and refuse to break under pressure, our rewards will far outweigh whatever situation we may be experiencing. Don’t give up, help is on the way!

Walk in love,

Ell