Tag: Example

Do Your Job

Genesis 37:12-17

What role do you play in God’s divine plan? Were you called to preach, teach, or prophesy? Or, are you more inclined to work behind the scenes, doing things that help many, while refusing recognition? All members of the body of Christ play a major part in fulfilling God’s overall plan for this present earth. Whether your duties require hard physical labor, or other approaches, the end goal for all believers is to see God in peace, but along our journey to Heaven, we are urged to influence others to join us on the righteous path.

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

What Are You Preaching?

Ephesians 3:7-13

The purpose of proclaiming the Word of God is, to edify and build the faith of those who are in Christ Jesus. When the believer’s faith is strong enough to understand God’s will for their lives, they can then put their faith to work, by compelling others to come, and become partakers and fellow-heirs of the body of Christ. If faith comes by hearing the Word of God, then all who preach God’s Word, should seek only to strengthen the faith of those who receive their words.

The church was established to continue the representation of God’s holy way, from the time of the disciples, until now. It’s unfortunate how many churches have conformed more to worldly standards, rather than holding fast to the standards set by the early church. The original disciples, along with those who were commissioned to go out and preach the Gospel, were keen on delivering pure, and unadulterated words inspired by God. They were bold, effectual, and most important, they were humble.

Early church leaders suffered greatly for delivering the Gospel message, but the more they were persecuted, the harder they worked to win souls. The same can hardly be said about modern churches, as the preaching of the Gospel message has been altered to satisfy itching ears, instead of building the faith of believers. The apostle Paul set a prime example of how leaders should carry themselves among the body, and of all the things he was accused of in his past, Paul never allowed them to distract him from his purpose. The great apostle went so far as to consider himself “less than the least of all saints” (vs. 8). This was an expression of extreme humility, which kept Paul safe from allowing pride to settle in his heart.

Leaders today should live in such a way, that God gets all the glory from their lives, and they should seek none for themselves. The average preacher you see on TV nowadays, dresses better than movie stars, drives the most expensive vehicles, print their names and faces on all the material they sell, while preaching messages that are 2 percent God, and 98 percent hot garbage. God desires that all men come to repentance, but men who refuse to preach the truth, make it hard for those who are sincere in seeking a better life.

Judgment is coming to the house of God, but it saddens me to witness many being deceived, because of men and their lust for fame and fortune. To those who remain true to God’s Word, be encouraged, and don’t allow anything to keep you from falling short of God’s glory. Continue to preach the Word in season, and out of season. Be bold in your proclamations whether people want to hear it, or not. Always remember, God will hold you accountable for how you influence the minds and hearts of others. So, if your aim is to use the Bible to deceive for selfish gain, rather than edify the body of Christ, then you’re in line to receive very harsh judgment, from God Himself. “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)

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

Ell

No god Like Our God

Psalm 86:1-13

Who can do what God does? Can a doctor truly understand, and explain the code of human DNA? While they may see an in-depth analysis of cell function, no one can truly understand how cells do, what they do. Can a bird sing, except God grace him with the necessary parts to do so? Birds were uniquely formed to inhabit the heavens, and show forth God’s unmatched intellect. Do you believe in gravity? I do, but can you honestly say, you understand it fully? Can you contain it in a jar, analyze it, or paint it purple? Although we know the purpose of gravity, and what it does, no one can fully make sense of it. What is light, except the illumination of dark spaces? We see the light, but how does it exist? What substance is it composed of?

God is amazing, and the things He does are sometimes beyond human comprehension. I tried once to contain God in my finite brain, then had a headache for a few hours after. God has the power to speak things into existence, heal sick bodies, raise men from the dead, inhabit praise from those who love Him, and bless men so, until curses are unable to penetrate their lives. As I write, I have millions of thoughts running through my mind, concerning how good God is, and how He does so much for everyone! I don’t understand all the ways of God, but I’ve learned how to keep His attention, from studying the Bible.

King David left great examples of how to stay in union with God, until He creates opportunities, just so He can bless. David understood that one must first cleanse the evil from their hearts, before even attempting to ask anything from the Father. A pure heart, coupled with a consistent holy lifestyle, will always keep you in a position where God CANNOT refuse to grant your prayer requests. The almighty, all-knowing, all-wise God, looks down on the earth, and desires to perform some amazing things in the lives of the people, but many don’t believe in Him, nor in His Word, so they willingly forfeit themselves from receiving blessings that can only come from God. While men find temporary satisfaction from pleasures in the world, only God can give things that offer lasting joy, and satisfaction.

Who can do what God does? No one. Think on that for a moment, and consider adjusting your life to where it always has God’s attention.

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

Ell

Be an example of faith

1 Thessalonians 2:1-10

When you walk in a room of fellow believers, or join in the presence of any group of people who are familiar with you, what’s the impression they get when they see you coming? Do the words you profess concerning holiness and righteousness, align with the works you perform on a daily basis? Or, do you say one thing with your lips, but act differently in the absence of those who can rebuke you, and bring you back into right standing with God? Everyone who claims to be born-again of the Spirit, are required to be examples of what godliness is. Every thought, idea, imagination, or spoken word, should all be brought under the subjection of the Holy Ghost. Although we may have made a confession to follow after Christ, we are unable to do it effectively without being led of His Spirit. Even when we pray to God, we require the assistance of His Spirit, to help make sense of the words we attempt to deliver to Him. “Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

Seasoned Christians are to be model servants, or examples of how to conduct themselves in a world full of sin, so that others can see what’s expected of them from God as well. In addition, the world needs to see real Saints, especially in such a time as this, because perilous times are already here, and will be amplified as the days go by. Just as the apostles in Scripture were bold, honest, pure, and unaffected by the intense contention they faced, we must also stand firm on God’s Word, knowing that if many before us were faithful until the end, we can endure the conflict that will soon come against us as well.

A proven way to remain stable in your walk with God is, to treat all men as if they were Christ. Also, change the perception you have of people, even though some may be hard to understand, and allow God’s Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions, as you interact with others. Like Paul and the other apostles, we should acknowledge God in all our ways, whether the matter seem small, or great. We too can be bold in the face of contention, true and honest in our exhortation, submissive to God who trusted us with the Gospel, gentle with others, as a mother who nurses a child, and affectionate to others who also labor endlessly in the works of the Lord. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Walk in love,

Ell

Striking a fair balance

2 Corinthians 8:9-15

Good advice can go a long way, especially when the words are motivated by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul spoke to many churches during his time of ministry; preaching, teaching, admonishing, rebuking, and doing as he was instructed to do by God, so that the people would know, and live by the standard God approved of, and not the standard of men.

As a good leader, Paul cared sincerely for those he covered spiritually, and oftentimes shared thoughts from his heart (with God’s permission) to the churches. In our text, Paul thought it necessary to provoke the Corinthian church to consider sharing their possessions with those who had little, to nothing. It’s easy to say you love God with all your heart when you aren’t being challenged to prove it, but there are times when that same love needs to be put into action.

There are many leaders who have given advice to their followers, but only for reasons to benefit themselves, and not the needs of the people. On the contrary, Paul gave words that would be expedient, or profitable for the church, if they put into action what he advised. The grace of giving was not a commandment, but mentioned as an example of what the other churches were doing, to build and edify their communities.

For some strange reason, giving seems to be one of the hardest things to do amongst the body of Christ. Having the love of God inside of us, giving should in fact be one of most natural elements of our being. Perhaps some are hesitant to give, because they’ve struggled all their lives, and feel that giving will deplete their supply to the point they’ll fall into poverty again, or maybe some have entertained the spirit of selfishness too long, until it keeps them for maintaining the desire to put others before themselves. No matter the reason, if you give willingly, and cheerfully, God will return unto you overflowing blessings that will come by the hands of men. Be mindful of this though, refusing to bless others, keeps God’s hand from blessing you, because it is more blessed to give, than to receive (Acts 20:35). If God can give His only Son to save the world, then why can’t we willingly give a portion of our goods to help someone who is struggling? Selfishness is NOT an attribute or character of godliness, rather it’s a direct derivative of sinfulness. Were all men created equal? Not at all. But, those who were fortunate enough to have an abundant supply of resources, or even finances, should never hesitate to help a brother in need. I was blessed to meet a woman from Jamaica many moons ago, who has a heart so pure, I think it would rival that of king David. No matter what state she’s in, her willingness to help others never shuts down. She truly exemplifies what a heart after God’s own really is. I strive to follow her example, and the example Christ showed us in the Word, so that my giving won’t be in vain, and God will one day say to me, “well done”.

How would you feel if you lost everything, like the people who are suffering from the recent storm that literally demolished the islands of the Bahamas, and no government in the world, nor your own family or friends would offer a helping hand? You’d be broken beyond repair. My advice to the body of believers is, when God blesses you with increase, instead of storing all your goods away to be eaten by moths, or to become corrupted, share the wealth with the men and women who strive daily to live according to God’s Word, the same as you do.

Walk in love,

Ell

A mother-daughter covenant

Ruth 1:6-11, 14-18

The importance of good examples is necessary to ensure that those who follow behind us will have a better chance of avoiding unnecessary problems and situations in their own lives. Parents strive to raise their children in ways that will set them up to be respected, as they grow and mature in life. Fathers teach their sons how to be men, and develop the necessary work ethics required to be effective in their future roles. Mothers show their daughters what it takes to maintain the home, as well as groom them to one day be a good wife to their husband, and mother to their children. We are all products of what we gleaned from the examples of those who came before us, and whether we gravitated toward the good, or the bad, the way our lives are set today is based on who’s example we elected to follow after.

The life of Ruth was greatly increased, because she decided that following after Naomi, and her God, was better than returning to the pagan life she was once associated with. I’m certain the way Ruth and her sister-in-law lived prior to being found and married by the sons of Naomi seemed senseless and unprofitable up to this point in their lives, because when they were advised to return home to their past, they both wept and refused, because they found that following Naomi’s example was far better than what they had left. After refusing to leave Naomi’s side, Ruth cemented her covenant with those famous words she spoke in verses 16 and 17.

Who’s example did you follow, that caused your life to turn out the way it did? We’re your parents or grandparents an influential part of your development as a man or woman, or were you heavily influenced by others who either encouraged you to grow in the grace of God, or exposed you to things contrary to holiness at an early age. No matter what she faced in life, Naomi made certain to stay true to God, and protect those under her care. We should do the same in our lives as well, and make certain that those who are under our wings are properly cared for, respected, and encouraged to do their best in this life, so that they’ll store up great rewards in the next.

Walk in love,

Ell

Jesus crucified before friends and enemies

Mark 15:16-24

Have you ever been humiliated? Have you ever been humiliated for something you didn’t do? Have you ever been humiliated beyond belief for something you didn’t do, while on your way to being crucified? Humiliation is something that’s rarely welcomed without reproach. To humiliate someone means to reduce them to a lower position in one’s own eyes or the eyes of others, and to make them feel ashamed or embarrassed. In our society, children of lower income families who are unable to appreciate the finer things in life, are often humiliated by those in school who are privileged to enjoy nice things. In other cases, unappreciative husbands tend to devalue their wives, and find pleasure in humiliating them in the company of their friends and family. No one deserves to be humiliated, despite the cards they were dealt in life, but there will always be those who will find pleasure in seeing others brought to shame.

After being judged the sentence of crucifixion, and being severely beaten, Jesus was led away to receive His unjust ruling. On the way to Golgotha, where Jesus would be crucified, He was led into the hall called Praetorium, and surrounded by nearly 600 men, all lying in wait to mock the Son of God. It’s one thing to be sentenced to death, then beaten unmercifully, but the additional mocking, beatings, and humiliation was totally uncalled for. The disrespectful and heartless pagan Romans stripped the clothes off Jesus, clothed Him in purple to mock His claim to kingship, crowned Him with thorns since He claimed to be a king, saluted Him in mockery as King of the Jews (not realizing that someday they will have to bow to this same man in all sincerity), struck Him with firm blows to the head with a reed, which was to represent His kingly power, spit on Him (which is the universal sign of disrespect), then led Him to be crucified. Invision for a moment what Jesus would have looked like after experiencing all this shame and persecution from nearly 600 men. Yeah, I almost vomited as well. If ever there was a time I wanted to fight, and kick the living patootie out of someone, this would be the moment. Even in all this, Jesus kept His composure, knowing that at any moment He could call for backup, and have all those wicked men dealt with. But, since He taught us to love our enemies, He certainly set the best example.

All that Jesus endured was necessary, so that we could have the privilege and opportunity to one day reign with Him in glory. I’m grateful that Christ carried out His mission flawlessly, so that I could be strengthened, and encouraged to carry out mine as well. Suffering will come, and times may get hard, but knowing that Jesus endured all His suffering without complaint, helps me stand strong in all that comes my way.

Walk in love,

Ell

Lifestyle of Christian believers

Luke 6:27-36

Jesus instructed His disciples, on multiple occasions, how they were to conduct themselves in the presence of sinners. He stressed often that their standard of living should differ from those who refused to walk after godly principles, because they also represented the Father, as He did. Sin and its demonic influence has altered how God defines love, and how men are to treat each other on the earth. For this reason, believers are to live in such a way, that the world can witness the nature of God through their lives. The world has heard of God, and many have read of Him in Scripture, but they can easily see Him through the way believers carry themselves.

In my previous lessons, I mentioned that the most powerful thing humans hold in their possession is choice, and the most coveted attribute of godliness is love. When we choose to love, we initiate a series of events that will open doors by which we can be fruitful, and prosperous for God’s Kingdom. For example, when we love our enemies, not only do we obey God’s command, but we create a situation where those who once despised our God, could possibly have a change of heart. There are times when men will wish evil upon us, and use us in ways that only benefit themselves, but Christ commanded us to bless and pray for them regardless of their selfish motives.

Christians are to extend love in all areas of their lives, including giving. We are to be wise in our giving, but not hold back from those in need, especially from our enemies. We are to also give freely from our hearts, not expecting anything in return. How many people have you run into who refuse to give, unless they know you’ll pay them back? As believers, our motives and intentions differ greatly from the world’s. We treat others the way we wish to be treated, knowing that God loves all men, and desires that they will someday give their hearts to Him. The world holds grudges, remembers faults, and uses past instances for selfish reasons, but the children of God operate in love and mercy, as their Father in Heaven does, and they easily forget hurts, faults, and continues to do good despite how they’ve been treated. At times it seems unfair that we have to endure suffering and persecution, but when I consider all the things Christ went through, yet continued to love and forgive, I get inspired to love even the more. “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36).

Walk in love,

Ell