Tag: Desire

Weary Worry

Luke 12:22-34

Aside from death, taxes, and corrupt governments, there’s another thing men can’t seem to avoid in this life. If you were able to survey every sensible person on the planet, and ask if they harbor worry in their minds, I’m apt to believe, your results would be a resounding “yes” for most of them. When we worry, we actually give way to anxiety or unease, while allowing our minds to dwell on difficulty or troubles. On the surface, worrying seems inevitable, and unavoidable, because there are times when we experience moments of unease and stress. For example, parents often worry about the safety of their children while away from home, whether at school or participating in other activities. Men and women who are poor and destitute, worry and wonder, whether or not someone will take time to offer them food, clothes, or a monetary gift. The longer we live on this earth, the harder it seems to escape worry, but Jesus offered a solution, in our text, to help us worry less (especially concerning things we can’t control), and refocus our thoughts on matters that are relevant to kingdom business.

The longer we cloud our minds with thoughts of food, clothing, drama at work, keeping the children safe and healthy, keeping ourselves healthy, whether we are doing enough good deeds, or whatever the case is, Jesus commanded His disciples to think not on those things, but have faith in the God who knows what they have need of, and will supply all of them, as long as they remain in His will.

While it’s necessary to work and plan responsibly, dwelling on how your plans could go wrong, or not work out, is unwise. Besides, worrying is pointless, because it can do absolutely nothing except bring harm to your physical and mental states of being. God made all things, and He knows what we need, before we ask, so it’s foolish and unhealthy to allow worry to invade the beautiful mind God placed in you.

God isn’t oblivious to what we experience in this life, despite how bad things seem to be, and He promised to supply all our needs, not necessarily our wants. But, Psalm 37:4 reads, “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” When we think on those things that are relevant to God’s plan and purpose, He’ll take care of our earthly issues, while at the same time, prepare us to take care of His spiritual assignments during our journey.

If you struggle with worry, and are seeking the strength and wisdom to regain your faith and confidence in God, empty all thoughts that cause you to doubt. After you’ve cleared your mind of worry, practice thinking on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. God watches every moment of your life, and He’s rooting for you to endure.

“Place all your trust in God, and allow Him the chance to prove that His words are true, and you mean the world to Him.” – Ell

Open Thine Hand

Deuteronomy 15:7-11

Throughout the Old Testament, there are hundreds of laws and commands God’s people were instructed to live by. Aside from the well-known ten commandments, God issued a number of other laws the people were to also consider, and obey. Although Jesus came to fulfill the law, there are still some practices the church can benefit from, even today. For example, tithing is no longer a mandatory law or command from priests, according to Malachi chapter 3, but the practice of tithing can still offer great benefits to the church as a whole, also to the individual who continues this practice. God loves a cheerful giver, so when we invest in God’s business, He’ll no doubt bless the works of our hands. It’s unfortunate that the modern church has become a business, but the body should never hesitate to give, so the needs of the church can still be met.

Another command given by God to His people was concerning lending money. In a society where selfishness and pride abide, it’s rare to find one willing to give to anyone in need, but God commanded His people to never harden their hearts, nor shut thine hand from anyone in the body who has a need. In times of selfishness, many forget that God was the source, and supplier of their increase, so holding on to what God gave is a big NO-NO! God blesses us, so that we can be a blessing to others, and holding back from helping someone in need is indeed sinful.

Knowing there will ALWAYS be people in the body of Christ who will have some type of need, should keep the church conscious, and motivated to always be ready to assist, when the opportunity presents itself. There are people who strongly believe, others are poor because of a fault or sin they possibly committed, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, God allows things to happen to some, in order to monitor the reaction of those who can help. In addition, we should refrain from making excuses on why we should withhold our blessings from those we feel don’t deserve them. If God was willing to give us His Son, while we were yet in a miserable state, we should not hold back from giving to the poor, in their time of need.

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

Vain Labor

1 Thessalonians 3:1-6

Hard labor was one of the direct punishments rendered to man, after falling to sin, in the Garden of Eden. It’s because of Adam, all men must work to earn a living, and maintain a balanced supply of necessary resources for themselves, and their family for survival. Working isn’t inherently evil, but things were a lot easier before sin interrupted the flow of things in the earth.

Today, men and women work tirelessly, to earn a steady income, so they their lifestyles can be maintained. While some work hard, and use their earnings to take care of necessities, there are those who invest countless hours of labor, only to spoil their goods on frivolous things. If all the money that was wasted on drugs, alcohol, strip clubs, and all other ungodly things was redistributed to help those in need, this world would be in much better shape than it is today.

Those who appreciate the time and effort they invest in working, tend to have a great appreciation for their wages, so that only what’s necessary, is what they perfer to spend their money on. It’s a very bad feeling to know that the money you worked so hard to gain, was wasted on things that have no value or relevance. The apostle Paul shared similar sentiments, when he showed great concern for the Thessalonian church. While visiting them on one of his journeys, he informed the church of his inevitable suffering and persecution. While they may have heard Paul’s words, they were probably uncertain of how those things would actually manifest. In any case, Paul’s prophetic words were manifested indeed, so much until he was unable to return to the church at Thessalonica, to check whether or not “the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain” (vs. 5b).

Paul wanted to be assured that the people he had ministered to were still strong in their faith, even during his absence. This is also similar to a parent, who invests years of hard labor, raising and caring for their children. They expect for their children to be obedient, and abide by the words they teach, but that’s not always the case. Thankfully, Paul received word from Timothy, the Thessalonian church was indeed standing strong in godliness. Also, their faith and love for God was still held in high regard, and they had “good remembrance” of the men of God always. Paul’s heart was pleased to know that his labor in preaching the Gospel was not in vain.

In our lives today, we may not see the fruit of our labor instantly, but with prayer, fasting, and patience, many of those whom we introduced the message of the Gospel to, will flourish, and begin to have an impact in the kingdom of God soon enough.

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

Stay On Track

Psalm 119:169-176

During my early years of life, I always found trains to be a fascinating means of transport. Watching those intricate machines glide across the tracks while waiting in the back seat of my parent’s car, was always a thrill to witness. I would often get scolded by my grandmother, because whenever I would ride with her while going over a train track, I always felt the need to add a few extra bounces in the van, even after we had rumbled over the tracks.

Trains have one mission, and that’s to get its cargo from point A, to point B. While technology has made for more efficient transportation, there are rare occasions when a train will get derailed from its track. As strange as it may seem, dealing trains is rather easy. In fact, the most common way is to drive it too fast for the rail position. The wheels can ride up the side of a rail on a curve at high speed, and if the alignment is too wide or narrow it will cause the train to dip, and rise up off the rails. That’s a scary thing to witness. The process of placing a derailed train back on its track is rather tedious, and requires hard labor, but once the train is placed back into its proper position, it can then proceed to carry out its assigned duties.

The church can be compared to a train. While the train is set on a track, and assigned to carry resources from place to place, believers are also positioned in God’s will, to carry His message of the Gospel from heart to heart. Oftentimes, a believer will veer off track, and end up in places and positions God didn’t intend for them to be in. But, getting back on track with God, requires one to first realize they are out of position, then cry out to Him for His salvation. It’s unfortunate how many only consider God’s grace, after they’ve fallen, rather than cling to it before a fall, in order to remain on track.

Never allow yourself to stray away from God’s leading, and commit to doing His will, so that you’ll always be in the right position to fulfill your mission. Remain consistent in God’s Word, stay on track, and choo choo nonstop, until you reach your final destination.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold… don’t become one of them.

Ell

Saints vs. Ain’ts

Proverbs 8:8-14, 17-21

Is it possible to tell time, from a clock with a broken display? How could one determine the time of day, if the sun, moon, and stars all refused to give off their light? A clock with a damaged display is rendered useless, because what it is expected to produce, is non-existent. In the same manner, without the light of the sun, moon, and stars, the inhabitants of the earth would be left in a confused state. A Christian who chooses to operate outside of the wisdom of God, will discover that their efforts to please Him will be futile. What’s expected of a child of God, can only be brought forth from a sound mind, and wisdom from above. Just like the clock with no display, a professing believer is unable to produce good works, nor keep the commandments of the Lord, when they lack His wisdom.

According to king Solomon (the wisest man to ever live), wisdom is the principal thing. In other words, Christians should seek first to obtain God’s wisdom, rather than gold, silver, rubies, and all things that the average man desires. Nothing that exists on this planet compares to the value of wisdom. While it’s good to have nice things, without God’s wisdom to show you how to keep those things under subjection, pride, arrogance, and other evil ways can easily creep into our hearts unawares. If you claim to be a child of God, and lack His wisdom, think it not strange when the world gives you confusing looks toward your ungodly behavior. The world is expected to produce corrupt fruit, but when they see a believer, they should only see “fruits meet for repentance.” (Matthew 3:8). Allow your actions and behavior to prove what you truly claim to be.

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

Ell

How Bad Do You Want It?

Proverbs 2:1-11

When we desire something, like we really really want it, we’ll go through great lengths to obtain it. A man who yearns to be with a specific woman, will do all he can to study her, so that he can do all the things she likes, in hopes of winning her favor. Men have been known for buying women cars, expensive clothing, and even jewelry, hoping they’ll eventually fall for them. Real women desire things that are more fulfilling, rather than material things, but men still try nonetheless. Another example is, how college scouts go over and beyond, to try and convince high school student-athletes to enroll in their school, and athletic program. They sacrifice time and money, to schedule visits to meet and greet with the child, and their family. Some have even been fined and put in jail, from taking risks like buying homes and cars, in order to convince the family that their university is worth attending. People have done strange things, to prove that what they desire, is worth fighting for. Unfortunately, most of those things offered little to no eternal value. If men sought diligently to learn the knowledge of God, more than they do worldly things, their lives would produce entirely different outcomes.

Many who claim to be Christians, struggle with understanding their purpose in life. One reason this happens is, they neglect to handle the first steps in growing, and maturing in God. The Bible teaches that we are to incline our ears unto wisdom, hide the commandments of God in our hearts, and seek after knowledge and understanding wholeheartedly. When it comes to understanding things like the stock market, politics, and other worldly interests, men go all out to understand all the juicy details, so they can gain an advantage in obtaining benefits for themselves. But, when it comes to pondering through verses of scripture, to gain a better understanding of what God expects from us, we automatically become lax, and prefer to hear sermons from televangelists, or YouTube. Why is it, when some people read the Bible, they always get sleepy? Hmm… in any case, it’s imperative that we obtain, and utilize the wisdom God gives, so that our souls can be kept, and our bodies preserved.

Do you desire God enough to spend at least an hour per day, meditating on His Word? If not, what is currently taking the place of the time God deserves? Always remember, only what you do for Christ, can impact your eternity in a positive way, but lacking a desire to grow in godliness, proves that the love you should have for God, is being invested in something else.

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

Ell

Proper Prayer Posture

Matthew 7:7-11

There are countless verses of Scripture in the Bible, that teach us how to receive answers for our prayers, from God. Whether we ask, seek, knock, fast, meditate, perform good deeds, worship, or praise, there’s a requirement that must first be met, in order for our prayers to reach God ears, and merit a legit response. God is holy, and demands that His children be holy as well. Just as a good parent seeks only good for their children, God cares for the church as a good Father should. But, in order to justly receive all God has stored up for us, we must be free from sin. Free, not in a sense that we’re perfect, or mistake-free, but free as in forgiven, born-again, and striving to do God’s will daily.

Oftentimes, men pray amiss, and seek things that will only please their selfish desires, but God blesses us, so that we can be a blessing to others, while bringing glory to His name as well. Even children born into wealthy families have rights to obtain an inheritance, but certain behaviors must still be maintained, in order to receive what’s due to them, at the appropriate time. The prophet Isaiah understood this when he wrote, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). When we live outside of the will of God, He’s not obligated to hear, nor answer anything we cry out to Him. This is similar to a parent being asked for a treat, from a child with consistent unruly behavior. A good parent understands, rewarding children for bad behavior is not a common standard, and could possibly encourage the child to continue in their unhealthy habits (although there are times when you can actually show kindness to a child who’s deserving of punishment, and shock them back into reality). When we learn to desire only those things that are pleasing to God, then He’ll be more inclined to listen to our requests, and bless us accordingly.

So, when you pray to God, what do you ask, and seek from Him. Do you make petitions for things to make your name great, and draw attention to your own plans, or do you desire things that will benefit yourself, and others, spiritually and naturally as well?

Walk in love,

Ell