Divine Connection

Acts 8:26-35

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). God cares for all men, whether they do evil, or good. In fact, one of God’s most amazing and unappreciated characteristics is, His patience. Oftentimes, men take for granted, the time God grants them in the earth, but soon that time will expire.

King Solomon helps us understand, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Prov. 15:3). God wants all men to submit themselves to His will and authority, so they can reap the best benefits of this life, and the next. Unfortunately, the world has become so corrupt to the point men, women, and children alike, are dying at unfathomable rates. Many pass away too soon, before they can even begin to enjoy the benefits that come with living a saved life. God the Father sees all, knows all, and desires that all come to Him, before their time is cut short. For this reason, the Spirit of God works through those who are attuned to His will, and joins them with others who diligently seek the truth of God’s Word. God is good, and His mercy endures forever, so all who have a strong desire to known Him, will indeed discover the depths of His unparalleled love, grace, and mercy.

Our text introduces a certain man; one who was of great authority, and served under queen Candace of the Ethiopians, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. While it may seem strange for an Ethiopian eunuch to seek worship in Jerusalem, tradition tells that king Solomon taught his religion to the queen of Sheba, who established it among her people. So it was only right for the man to travel to give honor to the God of the great king Solomon. As the man sat in his chariot, he struggled to understand the readings of the prophet Isaiah. It’s evident he had a desire for godliness, but couldn’t grasp its concepts. This was the perfect opportunity for God to connect a man seeking the truth, with another who understood and lived the truth.

During this time, persecution of the church had elevated to astounding rates (spearheaded by Saul, who had recently ordered the death of Stephen), yet the apostles and disciples of Christ continued to branch out to spread the Gospel to different lands. While watching the Ethiopian man from Heaven, struggling to understand the Word, God sent an angel to Philip, instructing him to get up, and go to Gaza. Not knowing the reason for the urgent request, Philip arose and did as he was instructed. When he arrived, the Spirit told Philip to join himself to the same chariot which the Ethiopian man sat upon. I’m certain God was smiling, as He observed the willing and obedient servant, approaching the chariot of someone seeking to know and abide by the truth. After Philip literally ran to meet the man, the Bible says, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” (vs. 35).

God knows what we have need of, and He always has someone in place, to assist in whatever way possible. The Ethiopian man may have left his estate with questions, but I’m certain he arrived back home with more than he expected. Trust God to help you find answers to questions you may have concerning His Word, or life in general. When you seek God with all your heart, He’ll always send someone to help you gain a better understanding of those hard things you are unable to grasp.

The Only Wise God

Isaiah 57:14-21

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9 KJV). The more I try to understand the intricacies and details of God the Father, the more my head hurts. I often quote Dr. Kent Hovind when he says,”if my little three pound brain could understand the Creator of all things, then He would not be worth worshiping”. Simply reading descriptions of the nature of the Creator and His dwelling place, makes me so excited to soon inhabit eternity with Him! The Lord our God is many wonderful things, including eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, in all places at all times, humble, just, righteous, consistent in love and judgment, and more! God inhabits eternity, and dwells in the high and holy place (with Christ), and His plan is to revive the spirit of those who walk in humility, and restore the hearts of those who’s were broken.

With the state in which the world is today, many, including Christians, have given up hope that God truly cares for those who suffer. But, know this; God never gives up on those He loves, those who walk in His ways, and keep His commandments. Even when we fall short, while trying to walk in the Spirit, God will pardon our iniquities, and restore us to a right place in Him. God sees our suffering and is fully aware that we need Him, but only in His perfect timing, will He step in to deliver His people.

We may not understand all that’s going on today, but focus your attention on being consistent in obeying God, because He made us, and He knows all about what we’re experiencing. In due time, the one whose name is Holy, will show Himself mighty in the lives of His children.

They Just Don’t Understand

Luke 4:23-30

There are some people in life, who try hard to shine in the spotlight, and are willing to go over and beyond normal means, simply to gain the attention and approval of others. On the other hand, there are those who try hard to remain hidden from the realm of popularity, but their righteous acts keep them at the forefront. Jesus came to the earth to make no reputation for Himself, rather to do as His Father commanded Him to do. As His fame began to spread during the early moments of His ministry, He decided to return to the place where He had been brought up. Walking through the streets of Nazareth must have brought many old memories to Jesus, one of which led Him to visit the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

While in the midst of those gathered together, Jesus read a familiar passage from the book of Isaiah, that was a literal reference to His mission. Rather than appreciate the son of Joseph for all the great works they heard Him perform in Capernaum, the people became filled with wrath instead. They allowed their familiarity with who Jesus was in a natural sense to cloud their judgment of who He was in the spirit realm. The Son of God had just told the people His purpose for His time in the earth, yet they deliberately rejected Him, and literally tried to throw Him over a cliff! Say what?! Yes, they were ready to kill Jesus, knowing He was of their own people, and the son of Joseph and Mary. I’m convinced, Jesus could only shake His head, and repeat in His mind, “No prophet is accepted in His own country” (vs.24).

Are you guilty of rejecting people who have gifts and talents, but are too familiar? Learn to love and accept those who you may be accustomed to, and appreciate their gifts, rather than showing more respect to strangers who seem to be experts. Be not surprised when your Christian life and faith are not easily understood by those who know you well, but keep doing what you do, and God will see you through.

Young woman’s pregnancy is sign of Immanuel

Isaiah 7:10-17

“Behold, a virgin shall conceive…” (vs.14). Reading that line without taking into account spirituality, one would quickly presume that the idea of bringing forth a child by way of a virgin, is impossible, and preposterous. Everyone with “good” sense knows, babies are naturally conceived by way of the union between a man, and a woman, but all who have “God” sense understand that things work a little different in the realm of the Spirit. In Jesus, God took on human form, so He could die for our sins. Without needing the help of a natural man, the birth of Christ was made possible by the unfathomable power of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:18).

Isaiah prophesied many years before the immaculate conception, “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name, Immanuel”, which means, “God with us”. God’s plan to have Christ come to the earth, to redeem man back to Himself wasn’t a last minute idea. In fact, the all wise God knows the end, from the beginning, and the plan of salvation was on the timeline of life events, before man was ever created.

It’s wise to trust a God who knows all things, is all powerful, and is in all places, at all times. That same God who visited the earth for 33 years, and set a standard we should live by today, continues to express Himself through His creation. Only through Christ, can we become one with the Father, and any other way will lead only to destruction. As we continue in this season of giving, remember to give thanks, not to Mary, who was only a vessel used to bring Christ into the world, but to the Savior of all mankind, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Walk in love,

Ell

God’s salvation for all people

Isaiah 52:7-10

The prophet Isaiah revealed many things that are yet to take place, including the millennial period, when the Jewish missionaries will go from Jerusalem to evangelize the world, telling all men that Christ reigns in Zion. While this prophecy was partially fulfilled in the book of Romans, it will be manifested in full, during that millennial period. During this same period, “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” (vs.10b). Salvation is more than simply accepting God in our hearts, but it’s witnessing God’s amazing power, working on the behalf of those who are committed to His will and purpose. The world cannot see the changed lives of all who are dedicated to God, but they will see His “bare, holy arm” manifested in the eyes of every nation.

There is coming a time, when this evil world will be judged, with all the inhabitants in it. God laid the foundation of how man is expected to live, in order to obtain eternal life. While some have taken advantage of the opportunity to dismiss sin from their lives, and exchange it for the mysteries of God, others willingly, and stubbornly reject the only One who can make their eternal existence relevant. God made salvation available for all men, even those who lived consistently in disobedience, because His grace is sufficient, and His love will embrace all who welcome Him into their hearts.

Knowing, and seeing how the Bible has already fulfilled most of what it predicted, men should have a greater desire to only do those things which are pleasing to God. How sad it will be for those who reject God now, to see that His words were indeed true, but on judgment day. In the same way the rich man, who refused to show love to a feeble and destitute Lazarus, asked for help while in hell, I can imagine how many people will beg and plead for God to show them mercy, when it’s too late.

When a hurricane is predicted to hit Florida, I watch how people scurry, and run rampant, in and out of stores to buy supplies that may be necessary to endure the storm, if it hits. People spend money, loading up on food, water, gas for generators, impact windows, and the whole nine yards, just to be sure they’ll last through the storm. I lower my head in sadness, wondering why won’t people prepare the same way for Christ’s return. This life is temporary; more like a dress rehearsal before the main show, so how we live today, will determine whether or not we’ll be on the right side of judgment, during the millennial reign of Christ.

“Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15).

Walk in love,

Ell