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.

When Bad Does Good

Joshua 2:1-7

According to biblical references, harlots in Scripture were considered women who were known to commit fornication and adultry, to be unfaithful, and some were even forced into the life of prostitution against their own will. While it’s known, many women willingly sell their bodies for filthy gain, some have defiled themselves because of the pressure from others.

Our text mentions Rahab, also recorded as Rachab (of the genealogy of Christ). This woman was known in her community as a harlot. Although very little details are mentioned concerning her family and lifestyle, it is noted that she owned a house. Most prostitutes seen today hang out on street corners, and some have literally no place to live. It’s unfortunate how many potentially great women have resulted to such a degrading profession, but as long as they have breath in their bodies, they can still change their way of living, and do good for God. Rather than judge those whom you have little to no knowledge concerning their situation, pray for them, and hope that God will give them a mind to change their ways, and start living for Him.

Rahab may not have been the town nun, but what she did in our text, was noted in the Bible as a great faith act. While hiding the spies sent by Joshua, and seemingly lying about it may seem minuscule at first glance, her protecting of God’s men was essential in saving her own life, and the lives of her household. Just because you’ve done bad things in your life, doesn’t exclude you from doing great works for the Lord. Although Rahab was a harlot, her act of faith, and good works literally gave her, and her family, another chance to be redeemed.

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

Ell

Jesus, gate of salvation

John 10:1-10

Sheep are nimble creatures that are known to be quiet, very gentle, and distant from the rest of the world. These humbled animals are extremely obedient and rarely go against those leading them. Jesus usually associated the children of God with sheep, in that they share similar characteristics and traits.

A short while after healing a man who had been blind from birth, and giving a few Pharisees a very valuable lesson in humility, Jesus decided to take advantage of another opportunity to teach those around Him more about the kingdom of God. This is a great example for us to follow, in those times God allows us to be graced with an audience. Take advantage of any and every opportunity you can to share the goodness of the Lord with others.

So, Jesus used an example of the connection between sheep and their shepherd to illustrate the connection He has with His people. As I mentioned before, sheep are very obedient to their shepherd; so much until they wouldn’t dare budge from hearing instructions from anyone else’s voice, except the one they know. They would only graze as they were led, and follow the shepherd wherever he would go.

In times passed, thieves and robbers would break in and steal innocent sheep. This would create a stir, as the sheep are only use to being treated fair and with care. Jesus said, the shepherd enters the sheepfold through the door. This is very symbolic in revealing how there are leaders who make attempts to pull believers from the fold of safety, and into traps and snares. They don’t enter through the door, that is Jesus Christ, but they come using man’s wisdom and intelligence to try and persuade others that their selfish agenda is right.

Jesus is the only way by which man can receive salvation. There’s no other way to be saved, no matter what people may try and convince you to believe. Jesus said in verse 39 of chapter 9, “For judgment I am come into the world, that they which see not might see; and they which see might be made blind.” Christ’s purpose for coming was to save, but rejecting him will bring definite judgment.

Through Christ, we can do more than simply exist; we can have a more abundant life! Immediately, when people hear “abundant life”, they think of material things, but Jesus’s priority was always on growing and developing spiritually. So imagine living with an over abundance of joy, a never-ending supply of peace, lots and lots of love, and a bundle of ever-flowing patience. That almost sounds too good to be true, yet it’s within our reach. We only have to go through Christ to attain it.

As His sheep, let’s continue to walk in the ways of Christ, and live according to His wisdom. Turn a blind eye to all those who come to turn you away from your purpose. Ignore fools who think that their own human efforts have more credence than the power of God. Be aware of false teachers and prophets who only seek to profit from those who love God.

Gird yourself with the armor of God and don’t forget to put on the helmet of salvation, for this is what gives us the hope and security of a life, eternal with God.

Seek peace,

Ell

Enter by the narrow gate

Matthew 7:13-14

As I sit and gently brush through my silver-lined beard with my fingers, I think on the power of “choice”. Making decisions based on knowledge and intellect is one of the things that separates humans from God’s other created beings. I mentioned before how animals act, and react based on instinct and genetic design, but man can make decisions from careful planning, in-depth thought, and the spirit of their minds.

The power to choose carries a heavy burden, if those choices are made without careful thought. Many people choose to live life on edge, and can be found taking death-defying risks such as bungee jumping, sky diving, deep see diving, or mountain climbing. Knowing the risks involved in venturing out on such endeavors, people still take chances at life in order to satisfy their choice.

There are others who choose to participate in habits that can be detrimental to their physical health; some including smoking, drinking in excess, over-eating, and the worst of all, drugs. Many result to these methods in an attempt to deal with, or try to suppress stress and depression.

But some of the worst habits of choice affect a person’s spiritual life. People are inherently good, because we were made in God’s image, and after His likeness. But problems arise when we allow the evil things in our heart to override the knowledge that Christ died to set us free from those things. When we submit to the power of sin, we are choosing to hate, lie, cheat, steal, kill, gossip, and disobey. This choice offers a broad path of wickedness that leads only to destruction.

Many are deceived into thinking that the treasures and pleasures of this world are all there is to good living, so they choose to abide by the world’s system and standard. The devil has so many people blinded by his schemes and tricks, until some will actually miss Heaven. It’s sad, but true. For this reason, many choose the broad path that seems to offer the least resistance.

But Matthew’s inspired words encourages us to aim for the “strait” gate. When we choose to walk as the righteousness of God, we may not notice as many on this path, as are on the broad path. God’s way is right, and satan knows it, so he constantly and consistently works toward turning people away from God, and over to his wickedness.

In sports, when an opponent knows they are defeated, they still put forth every effort to put points on the board. The devil has already been defeated, he’s just awaiting his final verdict (that’s already been decided as well), so he tries daily to persuade as many people as he can, to give up on God.

We can’t get caught up in, and distracted by what’s going on in this world. TV, music, and movies brainwash our parents and children with so much mess that’s contrary to the word of God, until it seems hopeless, at times, that some will ever be delivered. But stay on the narrow path. Choose to live for God, no matter how evil the world becomes, because greater is He that is in us, then he that is in the world. You are MORE than a CONQUEROR!

The Holy Ghost empowers us to maintain godly character in the midst of being surrounded by negative influences. To all my real believers out there, stay true to God, don’t let anything or anyone break your focus, and continue to store up treasures in Heaven.

As you walk down that narrow path that leads to life, strengthen every brother or sister you see who’s walking with you in faith, because we’re stronger when we’re together.

Seek peace,

Ell