Tag: honor

Foolish Redemption

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

     Many Jews thought the good news of Jesus Christ was foolish, because they thought he would be a conquering King, bringing signs and miracles. Jesus had not restored David’s throne as they expected. Also, he was executed as a common criminal, and how could a common criminal be a savior? Greeks also considered the gospel foolish, and did not believe in a bodily resurrection. They did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods, and they thought no reputable person would be crucified. To them, death was defeat, not victory.
     The good news of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many people today. Our society worships power, influence, wealth, and other futile things. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant, and he offers his Kingdom to those with faith, not works. This looks foolish to the world.
     The message of Christ’s death for sins also sounds foolish to those who don’t believe. Death seems to be the end of the road, the ultimate weakness, but Jesus did not stay dead. His resurrection shows his power even over death. He will save us from eternal death, and give us everlasting life, if we trust him as our savior and Lord. This sounds so simple that many people won’t accept it. They try other ways to obtain eternal life, but their attempts will not work. The foolish people, who simply accept Christ’s offer, are actually the wisest of all, because they alone will live eternally with God.

– Life Application Study Bible (pg. 1997-1998)

Good Representation

Psalm 38

How well do you represent godly living in all areas of your life? Can your family, coworkers, neighbors and friends easily tell whether you are dedicated to living a life of holiness, or not? It’s easy to look the part of a believer in church, or amongst those gathered for religious purposes, but how well do you represent godliness outside of the church walls, and in the company of those who do not share your beliefs? Are you easily entertained by unhealthy conversations at work, or do family members know the right buttons to push, that will cause you to act out of character? Representing God in a fallen world isn’t always easy, but if one diligently commits to doing as the Lord commanded, He will always direct their steps, by His Spirit.

In Awe Of You

Joshua 5

In the beginning, God created everything; from massive lands and trees, to animals and great seas!  God the Father was, and is deserving of the praise and respect of all men, whether they are  submitted to His authority, or not. In times passed, men and women would instantly become frightened at the appearing of a messenger of the Lord. This was in part due to natural human reaction, coupled with reverence and awe of the presence of the Lord.

When the Lord appeared to Abraham in the book of Genesis, chapter 18, he begged for Him not to leave, rather to stay, so that he could wash His feet, provide food and water, then set He and His company in a proper place to rest. This was indeed a great sign of honor and humility. God sent messengers to visit many others in scripture, including shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and others, all of whom became submitted to the heavenly messengers who graced their presence.

Men of the past showed great respect for God, and they were rewarded for their humility, but the same can hardly be said in the 21st century. Some people today say they’ve had encounters with heavenly beings, and I’m not one to judge, but God has revealed Himself to mankind today, through His Word, and the same respect we would give to a heavenly being who appeared to us, we ought to render the same in the presence of His holy Scripture, or even through prayer. Bible prophecy predicted long ago, men would lose their love and reverence for godliness in the last days, and this truth is undeniably evident. Some read God’s Word out of habit, or a forced feeling, and others come to God in prayer with selfish petitions and vain requests.

Many have lost their awe and fear of God, and tend to show more respect to worldly leaders and celebrities. Men and women literally cry tears for famous artists and musicians who perform ungodly shows, and could care less about the souls of their fanatics. God is responsible for giving life to all who walk the earth, and He alone deserves to be reverenced, feared, and respected. Without God, there would be no salvation. Without God, there would be no remission of sin. Without God, life would be eternal misery for all mankind. Without God, our goals, dreams, and passions would be impossible to attain.

Turn your attention away from men who are popular to the world, yet have no relevance in the kingdom of God, and rededicate your confession of submission to the Creator of the world. Honor God when you kneel to pray, make His name glorious when you praise, and reverence the power and authority of His name when you witness to others.

Defending Your Life

Genesis 44:18-26

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). During these perilous end times, the Saints of God are to maintain themselves differently from the world. All who proclaim to be followers of Christ Jesus, are to remain unspotted from the things that do not pertain to holiness. This includes, but is not limited to, behaving themselves appropriately in all situations, keeping their tongues from speaking evil, and their lips from uttering words of deceit, showing love to all men, including their enemies, giving to those in need, refraining from sexual immorality, seeking peace with all men, and obeying the “Golden Rule”. True followers of God are not easily beguiled by satan, nor his wicked forces, but they stand against all evil, while exemplifying the character of Jesus through their daily living.

The church ought not direct their focus on defending their faith through words alone, but the world should see an obvious difference between themselves, and those who claim the name of Christ. Defend your faith with the Word of God. Prove your allegiance to Christ through the way you live. Honor, reverence, and serve the almighty God with gladness, and don’t be ashamed if the world considers you odd or strange. When you make a conscious and definite decision to defend God’s Word, He will in turn, defend you, and when God is for you, no one has a chance to bring you down.

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

Gone Too Far… Smh

John 13:31-35

This lesson’s text is filled with so many teaching points, that I would be writing for days expounding upon them all. Instead, I prefer to bring your attention to verse 31. At first glance, many would skip to verse 32, without noticing a valuable lesson written in plain sight in this verse.

Jesus was the most true, honest, reliable, and dependable friend anyone could have ever asked for. His obvious connection to God should have been a dead giveaway of the character one could expect from sharing experiences with Him, and those who shared the most experiences with Jesus during His ministry were, His disciples. Jesus selected 12 ordinary men, and empowered them to perform some of history’s most extraordinary works. Can you imagine, walking, talking, laughing, crying, and enjoying all the experiences of life, but in the presence of Christ? I can’t fathom how that would feel, but I am certain that every disciple who followed after Jesus, was changed from the moment they gave up their past, to the very instant they saw His power in action.

Although Jesus proved to His followers that He indeed was sent by God to save the world, this amazing truth did little to influence a man who shared in those amazing works and experiences with the Son of God. Judas Iscariot, was handpicked by Jesus, to become one of the chosen disciples. In the same way as the other 11, Judas also left all, to follow Christ, but his experience was on a level his brethren knew nothing about. If Jesus had not known the thoughts of Judas, I’m apt to believe, He would have carried Himself a different way. But, from the beginning, to his betrayal, Jesus knew full well, the heart of Judas had been hardened to the point of no return. It’s sad to fathom how a man can become so consumed with the cares of this world, that even God in the flesh, could not influence him to change.

Judas had gone too far, and although he was blessed with power to do things ordinary men could only dream of, he couldn’t let go of his lust for the world, which caused him to make the most devastating decision of his life. Yes, God’s plan was that Christ be sacrificed, but maybe… just maybe, it could have been triggered by someone other than Jesus’ disciple.

No man will ever face betrayal on a level as Jesus did, but I’m 175 percent sure, that someone in your “circle of friends” has been holding a blade, and waiting for the opportunity to stab you in the back. Unlike the average human, Jesus showed love to Judas, despite knowing He was never really true to his confession.

Will you continue to love those who you know hate your guts, but haven’t been bold enough to confess it yet? Those in your life who have gone too far, and allowed the opinions of others to dictate their perspective of who you are, can you still smile, hug, and shower them with the love of Christ?

After Judas had left the table, Jesus said to those who remained faithful, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (vs. 35). Judas betrayed the Son of God, yet the Son never stopped loving him…and the Son will never stop loving you, but you must give the same love to one another.

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

Ell

Keep On Teaching

Mark 6:1-6

I wrote a blog nearly a year ago concerning the dangers of familiarity, and how many people have misjudged, and dishonored some whom they should have given more respect to. For example, growing up with siblings who eventually become famous, doesn’t change the fact that they are still your brother or sister. Therefore, you wouldn’t see them as the world would, and probably could care less about their fame. On the other hand, those who only know of famous people from listening to their music, or watching them on the big screen, tend to have a greater appreciation for their work.

After hearing about all the incredible miracles Jesus had performed outside of His hometown, from casting demons out of some, to raising others from the dead, it’s sad to know that those in His own community refused to accept the fact that He indeed was the Son of God. The text mentions, “And he marvelled because of their unbelief” (vs. 6a). After touring many different lands, spreading the goodness of His Father, Jesus no doubt expected to return home with a more appreciative welcome. Those He blessed while He journeyed through various lands were extremely grateful for the love Jesus had freely shown to them, but those in His own country could do no more than criticize, and doubt who He really was. This was so disheartening to point that Jesus could do no mighty works there, except lay His hands on a few sick folk, and heal them. Although the people in His town proved to be unthankful, Jesus made certain to not allow the people’s unbelief, keep Him from teaching.

While we live to please God, we’ll also experience doubt and unbelief from those we assume have our best interests at heart. But, after overcoming the hurt and pain of those you thought would support you, don’t allow their unbelief to keep you from spreading the goodness of the Gospel.

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

Ell

Rotten Apples

Esther 5:9-14

Have you heard the phrase, “one bad apple spoils the barrel”? This quote simply implies, if you hang around trash long enough, you’ll eventually wear the stench of it. Typically, the people you spend time with, are more than likely influencing your behavior, whether negatively, or in a positive way. In the case of the bad apple, there could be fifty, to a hundred pristine and healthy apples in a barrel, but one could be internally infested with worms and germs, that could eventually transfer to the good apples. Unless they are separated with haste, all the good apples could become rotten in a matter of moments.

Corruption has a tendency to spread, and cares not for who or what it infects, because the root of all corruption is sin. In our text, Haman continued his plight, to terminate Mordecai, and all the Jews. This man was full of corruption, and found pleasure only in material possessions, and the praise and glory of men. A prideful heart, is incapable of harboring feelings of compassion, sympathy, and empathy, thus causing one to ignore the values required to love thy neighbor as thyself.

Haman was so wicked, until his evil influence infiltrated the hearts of those in his home as well. The wife and friends of Haman advised that he build a gallows, from which Mordecai would be hung. This idea pleased the unjust man, and further blinded him from the path of self destruction ahead. 

When men plot evil against the children of God, we ought not avenge ourselves, because we can only see so far in the spirit, whereas God can see the whole picture. “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people” (Hebrews 10:30). Mind your company, and remove yourself from those who are contaminated with corruption.

Walk in love,

Ell