Reel ‘Em In!

Genesis 41:14-24

Living as a Christian in 2020, has become far from easy. While we strive to live holy, and keep evil communication from our lips, the world continues to strive against us, forcing us to prove what’s truly in our hearts. Based on this fact, it’s important for those who are engrafted into the family of God, to remain mindful of how they conduct themselves, while in the company of unbelievers. It’s easy to conform to the ways of men, so that we could blend in with their company, but God requires the Saints to shine their lights in all places, all situations, and among all people. This is very crucial, because God can use us to draw others to Himself, if we aren’t afraid to be different from the world. It’s hard to catch a fish when your bait looks exactly like it, but when you secure an attractive lure to your hook, you’ll begin to attract all types of fish to your line. Is your life attracting men to the Lord, or do people lose interest in God, from the way you live?

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

Ell

Gifted!

Genesis 41:9-13

The body of Christ is fitly joined together with countless members, each having their own talents, gifts, and special abilities. The Bible mentions some gifts as prophecy, teaching, helps, and many others. All of what we do for the kingdom of God is important, and not one person does God favor over another, because He loves us all the same.

In order to effectively walk worthy of the vocation, or calling wherewith we were called, we must remain humble, and patiently navigate according to God’s timing. Too often, many who discover their gift in God, have a tendency of stepping out too early, before fully understanding how to operate in that gift. While gifts indeed come without repentance, we must not abuse God’s blessings by operating in them unworthily, or before time. For example, if God called you to prophesy, it wouldn’t be wise for you to use your gift for show, or selfish gain. Instead, your gift of prophecy should be used to help the church grow, and edify all who need to be lifted.

In our text, Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams, and God allowed him to exercise that gift at appointed times, and for specific people. Joseph didn’t attempt to go around interpreting everyone’s dreams, in order to flaunt his gift, but he allowed God to place him in the right situations, so that his gift could be used to bring glory to His name.

Do you use your gift to show off, and draw attention to yourself? If so, you should reconsider your motives, before you are met with strict chastisement from the Father. God doesn’t regret making you super special, but He desires that you walk in humility, and use your gifts to help others, and not yourself. God will always take care of your business, so long as you take care of His.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell

Who Said That?

Acts 13:1-5

When God speaks, can you tell whether it’s Him, or not? How do you discern the voices in your head, whether they are from the devil, the Father, or the spirit of your mind (conscience)? The best way to recognize when God is speaking to you (through His Spirit) is, to be in a position of proper posture, then you’ll be better prepared to discern what’s true, and what’s not.

As humans, we were created with intuitive minds, that have the capability of harboring endless thoughts in our brains. From those thoughts, we can discern what actions to take, based on the current situation we may be facing. Unfortunately, there’s also the devil, who oftentimes makes attempts to fill our minds with evil and wicked thoughts and vain imaginations. He does this in various ways, including infiltrating television shows, movies, music, and all other mediums to distract our attention from the things of God.

As a person matures in godliness, it becomes fairly easy for them to distinguish the different voices they hear. If at anytime, you are led to do something contrary to God, morality, or your sanity, then this voice is NOT from God. On the other hand, if you are striving to live holy, while keeping yourself pure and humble before the Lord, you’ll often hear clear and direct instruction, and revelation during times of prayer, fasting, or moments throughout your day.

God loves to have our attention tuned to Himself, because He alone knows what’s best for us, and how we can properly serve Him daily. It’s wise to follow and obey the voice of the Lord, but it’s foolish to place our own thoughts, or entertain thoughts from the evil one, over the Father. Pray to God for discernment and wisdom, so that you can always receive clear and precise instruction, on how to live your life with purpose.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell

Don’t Hate, Appreciate

Genesis 37:2-11, 23-24, 28

If we could see life from God’s perspective, then our actions and behavior towards others would change in an instant. God sees the hearts of men, and judges them, not only by their actions, but by their motives and intentions as well. He desires the best for all mankind, but they must be willing to align themselves properly to receive His best.

Men are born in sin, shaped in iniquity, and are preset to fail. This was all made possible because of the fall of Adam. Because of sin, many are susceptible to becoming influenced by its wicked nature, which can cause them to inflict harm onto others. When our focus on godliness begins to waver, we make ourselves easy targets to become overtaken by all manner of evil spirits; some of which include lying, jealousy, envy, strife, gossip, and even thoughts of murder.

While it’s one thing to harbor ill will toward an enemy, it’s worse when the person you’re at odds with is a member of your own family. Throughout history, most family dissension stemmed from hatred, jealousy, and envy. Our text gives one example of such a situation, when Jacob’s sons proved how hatred and envy can cause men to commit horrendous acts, even toward those of the same blood. Although the hate Joseph’s brothers felt toward him was triggered by his preferential treatment of their father, they were still old enough to know that they should control their emotions, and not allow sin to overtake their thoughts. Unfortunately, their initial level of hate for their little brother was increased the more, after Joseph shared dreams of how he would someday rule over them. It’s hard to tell from Scripture, whether Joseph was being boastful, or just trying to be a normal little brother, in any case, his very presence struck an irritating nerve in the hearts of all his brothers, who eventually threw him in a pit, from which he was sold as a slave to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver.

What a shame, to read how blood-kin can threaten to kill one of their own, because of hatred and envy. Do you allow your feelings to cause you to treat your brothers or sisters different? Can you appreciate when someone in your family receives a blessing from God, or do you become jealous, and turn hostile toward them? Be very careful how you treat those who only desire to be loved, because if you push them away, God will make it so that you’ll definitely see them again; only next time, you may be surprised to see what they have become.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell

Transparency

Acts 7:9-15

When I wake up in the morning, and open my eyes to see the new day, God is with me. As I turn over in bed, regaining feeling in my numb legs and arms, God is with me. When I gather enough strength to plant my feet on the floor, and slowly rise upright, God is with me. As I wash, then gird myself for the day ahead, God is with me. When I think of what the day will bring, God is with me. As I travel on the dangerous highways, going to and fro, God is with me. When I spend all day, pushing to make it through another day of hard labor, God is with me. As I deal with the pressures of life that come by way of those who are evil, wicked, or even my foes, God is with me. When I try to smile, stay positive, and keep a straight face, to hide the hurt, pain, and shame inside me, God is with me. As I give strength to others, when I require strength for myself, God is with me. When those who i thought were for me, turn against me, God is with me. When my body goes through seasons of sickness and pain, God is with me. When those I love, lose their lives, God is with me. When those I don’t know perish, and my heart still feels pain, God is with me. When the enemy attempts to knock me off track, God is with me. As I sit and write this tonight, exhausted from another long day of work, God is with me. When I consider, I am still alive, healthy, and have a sound mind, it’s because God is with me. I love the Lord, indeed I do. It’s because of Him, I can not, and will not give up. I am thankful for all who strive to live holy, in an unholy society; to all who are committed to staying true to God’s will. Be strong, be vigilant, stay faithful, because God is with you.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell

You Are Alive!

Psalm 106:1-6, 16-22

Why do you think you’re still alive? Why is it, out of all the people who’ve died this year, God continues to spare your life? Have you ever considered what a blessing it is, to simply see another day? There are people who wake up with murmuring and complaining on their lips, without considering that their first words should be to give God thanks and praise for another day on the earth. Could it be, those who refuse to acknowledge that the breath of life could easily be removed from them, have their minds fixed on earthly pleasures and treasures? Or, perhaps those who are ungrateful for God’s mercy have yet to taste and see how good a life in service to the Father really is. Whatever the case, God has everlasting mercy, and He has spared our lives for such a time as this.

We are living out the days of prophecy, when the pages of Scripture are being fulfilled. Whether we are in the will of God or not, the Bible will indeed fulfill itself. While we yet live, it’s crucial that we learn what is expected of us from the Father, and diligently carry it out. Why live on the earth going through hell, then die and spend eternity in unending hell?

Every man and woman created by God has a purpose, and a role to play in fulfilling His will. Regardless of what God has proposed for you to do in this life, you must do it wholeheartedly, and with a mind set on pleasing God. When God is pleased with our lives, He’ll grant us blessings in the earth, then can benefit our lives, and the lives of those around us.

The state of the world looks miserable, and the church seems to have lost its strength, but this is the time for the body of Christ, to join together in union, and reignite their passion for holiness. You are alive, because God is not done with you. You are alive, because you have work left to do in the earth. You are alive, because many people are depending on you to be strong, so they can continue to gain strength from your consistent faith. You are alive, because you know that you are special in God’s eyes, and you want to prove to Him, no matter what comes your way, you will not give up, nor give in to the pressures of life. You are AMAZING! You are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made! You are SPECIAL! You are CHOSEN! You are a CONQUEROR! You are a WINNER! You are ALIVE, so appreciate every breath you breath, because you never know when those breaths will run out.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

Favor For The Dreamer

Genesis 37:29-36

One of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs many people will experience in life is, parenting. While raising children (especially in this time) should be taken seriously, and with the proper precautions, one of the most unwise things to do is, show favor to one child, over all the others. Favoritism is good when it involves things like selecting foods you prefer, or the color you want to paint your house, but when dad and mom show more love for Cinnamon, while treating Nutmeg and Cashew like the neighbor’s kids, then those seeds will eventually come back to haunt them.

A great example of this can be found early in Scripture, in the lives of Jacob, and his sons. The average Bible reader should have already been exposed to this inspiring story, but if you haven’t, then you can read it in less than an hour (Genesis chapters 37-45). The text reveals, “Jacob (Israel) loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age” (vs. 3a). Some history records that Jacob was over 90 years old when Joseph was born, and after the death of Rachel, little Joseph became his father’s special helper in being the agent between him and his brothers.

Unfortunately, the other brothers strongly disliked the relationship between their father, and little Joseph. Usually, when a mob of angry people have ill feelings toward someone, they tend to devise a plan to destroy their credibility. This was precisely the case with Jacobs sons. When Jacob had sent Joseph to check on his brothers one day (who were supposed to be feeding the flock in Shechem, but took a stroll to Dothan), they saw him from afar, and instantly plotted to slay him. Aside from labeling him, the dreamer, the brothers decided they’d kill him, then throw him in a pit. If it had not been for Reuben, who convinced the others to spare Joseph’s life, and only throw him in a pit, the little dreamer would have left the earth without fulfilling his promised assignment.

It’s amazing how people can hate you for things you had nothing to do with. Some people were blessed with gifts, talents, and abilities, that others dream to have, but rather than appreciate their gifts, they plot to hinder them from exercising them. Never allow jealousy, hatred, envy, nor strife to invade your mind, simply because God shows someone favor. Whether it be a brother, sister, friend, or even someone you aren’t too fond of, value, appreciate, and respect those who God uses in great ways.

Jacob suffered heartache for years, thinking that his son had been killed, but in the end, the love he had for Joseph was restored. Parents, be careful how you treat your children, because one day they’ll grow up, and act upon all you said and done to, and for them. Also, be certain to raise all of them in the fear of God, and teach them the value of love and respect for others.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

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

Worth The Wait

Genesis 30:22-24; 35:16-20

Have you ever prayed for something so long, until it seemed as if God was ignoring you? The thing you felt was necessary to make your life better, seemed not to be on God’s mind at all. What are you to do, when you pray and cry, cry and pray for a thing, but all your efforts seem futile? Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer to that, but I can offer a suggestion, that could help you endure the waiting game.

When we pray to God in faith, He indeed hears us, and desires that our needs be met, but there will come times when God will delay our manifestation, in order to reveal a more deeper revelation through our patience. Sometimes, God withholds blessings, so that the true motives and intentions of others can be revealed early, so that you can see who’s really for you, and who’s not. God also delays things in order to monitor whether or not we have more desire for material things, over His spiritual blessings. There will even be moments when we’ll pray for something, and it’ll never manifest in the earth. Thankfully, God knows all, and has full understanding of the things that will make our lives better, but He cares more for our eternal prosperity, rather than our earthly, temporal possessions.

In our text, Rachel had become envious of her sister Leah, because she bear no children. Jacob was tricked by Rachel’s father into marrying her sister, so he was obligated to bring forth children with Leah also, but Rachel seemed barren, and was ashamed of her present situation. After having six sons and one daughter, Leah was certain that Jacob would dwell with her, or consider showing her more appreciation, but God then remembered Rachel, and opened her womb.

When it seems like all hope is lost, and everyone around you is prospering, these are the moments God steps in to prove to your haters, He never forgets His own. Why God waits until the last minute to bless us sometimes, I’ll never know, but I’m just grateful that He comes through.

You may have been praying and believing for God to open or close doors in your life for a long time, but don’t lose heart. God heard all your prayers, and has not forgotten you. All your prayers of faith have been like a soothing incense to God, and He’ll soon step into your situation, and manifest His love for all to see. Hang in there, and trust that your season of suffering will soon come to an end.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

Peacemakers

James 3:13-18; 5:7-12

In the same way trees are known by their fruit, the character of men can be made known by the works they perform. According to Scripture, the church should only be known for producing righteous fruit, and such fruit is only made possible by the corresponding seed sown from their lives.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12 KJV). Many in the earth consider themselves to be wise, but their wisdom is based on corrupt seed. Our text teaches, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (vs. 16). That’s extremely profound, knowing that every evil work can be produced from sowing seeds of strife and envy. The preceding verse also mentions, harboring bitter envying and strife in the heart, causes one to lie against the truth. It’s impossible for a man to say he has committed himself to God, and His will, while holding evil and wicked motives in His heart. When a man is motivated by evil thoughts, his actions will mirror what’s hidden in his heart. Conversely, when a man’s heart is full of the love of God, he’ll sow seeds of peace, that will inevitably bring forth the fruit of righteousness.

In essence, the fruit of righteousness include all the works that represent holiness, by which God receives glory through them all. The world promotes all things contrary to godliness, including hate, envying, strife, confusion, and a host of other unholy behaviors, but when a man promotes peace, God will consider him wise, and fill him with heavenly wisdom, as he faithfully brings forth righteous fruit.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell