Forgiveness Is Key

Luke 17:1-4

In our lesson today, Jesus brought to light, something of extreme importance to His disciples, that could also prove valuable to all believers today. In His own words, Jesus said, “It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!” (vs. 1). This is quite interesting, because Jesus understood, despite being joined with Himself, there will ALWAYS be those who will place impediments in the way of believers, to cause them to stumble, or fall.

While it’s no surprise when an enemy of the Gospel attempts to block the paths of the righteous, it’s extremely disheartening when a fellow believer commits heinous acts against their own. How sad it is, knowing the world already hates you (as it did Jesus), then to discover, those whom you expected to fight alongside you, attacked you more than your enemies. That’s just wrong on all levels, but if you think that’s high on God’s naughty list, Jesus added, “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones”. (vs. 2). When men block little children from growing in the knowledge of God, it would be better for them, and the world, if they would just die, and leave the earth. That’s intense, but I get it. I don’t enjoy hearing about anyone dying, nor experiencing pain, but when you hinder a child from learning the truth about God’s Word, or distract your brother or sister from maturing in the faith, you deserve nothing but the worst punishment (unless you repent wholeheartedly, and change your behavior… yeah, I’m all about that “forgiving” life).

Jesus desired unity among the body of believers, and stressed the importance of forgiving those who admit their mistakes, and seek to return to right standing among the brethren. These days, it’s obvious to tell when a person is sincere in their apology, or if they’re just talking out of their “bleep bleep”, because their actions, following their confession, will reveal what’s really in their heart. As Jesus did with His disciples, I also advise all who abide in God, to take heed, that they keep forgiveness readily available to all who seek it, but to also guard children, and fellow believers, against men who seek only to block their path to God’s glory.

Walk in love,

Ell

Don’t Tempt Me!

James 1:12-15

Of all the ingredients that go into satan’s recipes of sinful ploys, only two are required, that allow for temptation to be effective; enticement, and the lust of men. There’s not one thing the devil can do to tempt God’s children, except they first reveal their hidden desire for what he offers. God tests His people, to prove what’s in their hearts, and to help make them better for His purposes, but satan tempts Christians, in order to pull them away from their allegiance with the Father, and keep them bound in sin.

There are times when men assume that God is tempting them, but our Father would never do anything to cause intentional harm to those He loves. On the other hand, the enemy would do everything within his power, to see that the followers of Christ are all destroyed.

Temptation is very powerful, and can sever even the most solid godly relationships. Don’t believe me, just ask Adam and Eve how powerful temptation can be. The first humans placed in the earth, who inhabited God’s very presence, gave in to satan’s wicked scheme. After conversing with that unusual couple, call and chat with Lot’s wife, and ask, what was so valuable in Sodom, that caused her to look back, and lose her very life. The key to understanding temptation is, recognizing that satan knows what we desire, even those secret things, because oftentimes, we speak our thoughts into the atmosphere. So, when he tempts us, it’s usually with something we’ve always yearned for, but probably don’t need.

Anything that will lead you to sin, is not a blessing from God, but a trick of the enemy. I often wonder, how Judas was so close to Jesus, yet couldn’t overcome his lust for money. The hidden greed in his heart, was coupled with satan’s allurement, which led him to his eventual demise.

Be wise in these last and evil days, because our adversary, the devil, is trying harder than ever, to keep us out of God’s will. All who endure the temptations of the enemy, along with his wicked schemes, will one day receive the crown of life, God promised to those who love Him. Always remember, sin brings eternal death, but obedience brings eternal life.

Walk in love,

Ell

The Glory of Men

Matthew 6:1-8

How can you tell, whether or not a man’s confession to being born again of the Spirit, is indeed valid? Do his fine garments, fancy suits, or clergy collar, deem him the righteousness of God? Does the fact that he gives to the poor always, yet to be seen of men, make him the model Christian? Even when he prays, he does it without hesitation, but uses vain repetitions, in order to seem dignified and righteous before men. Is this proof that his love for God is genuine?

The easiest way to prove whether a person is true to their confession to God’s salvation is, to monitor if their actions are done in humility. Believers are to NEVER do things to gain the glory of men, because God blesses us from a different platform. Seeking to win man’s approval, rewards one with simply that (man’s approval). God desires to bless His children with an abundance of natural and spiritual things, which man can never offer. So, in our daily dealings, we are to do things in secret, so that we remain humble, God gets the glory, then He honors us for our obedience.

Hypocrites have been prevalent throughout the Scriptures, and live on even today. Men make claims to be doing the work of the Lord, and even dress the part, but their motivations are led by another spirit. When a man’s steps are ordered by the Lord, his actions and behavior mirrors that of Gods character. Conversely, when a man operates under the spirit of pride, he behaves as satan did, before he was cast out of Heaven; prideful, haughty, and puffed up. Pride causes men to desire more than they deserve, and strive for the glory that belongs to God. I’ve witnessed this on multiple occasions, as men would preach, or pray hard and loud (and even use big words), but never said anything relevant to the people’s needs. Some would even make large donations to charities or needy families, but only to promote their own agendas. God shuns this type of behavior, because He sent His Son to teach us that humility is what gets His attention.

To those who claim to be sons and daughters of God, make sure that your actions are motivated by love, and not pride. Also, never seek to boast in yourself, but rather boast in the Lord, and in His awesome power! “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen”. (1 Peter 5:6-11)

Walk in love,

Ell

Dust In The Wind

Matthew 6:16-21

Fasting, is a spiritual tool that has been utilized for centuries by men and women of God, that has helped to strengthen their focus on the Lord’s will for their lives. The traditional fasting method involved putting aside natural food for a time period, so that one could fine tune their spiritual hunger for the things of God. Fasting according to Scripture, has ALWAYS yielded amazing benefits to those who endured, but to those who took it lightly, they had far different rewards. God’s desire for His people is, that we maintain focus on pleasing Him, but when we do things to gain the attention of men, God will withhold what He had planned to bestow upon us, until we rectify our approach.

Another benefit associated with fasting is, it helps the believer concentrate more on the value of eternal treasures, rather than earthly ones. Have you ever considered the fact that all the things you deem valuable, and keep stored in special places in your home or somewhere else, will someday be either stolen, or corrupted by natural decay? Yeah, those 200 dollar autographed Jordans, or Lebrons, that are kept in a glass case in your trophy room, won’t be worth a hill of beans, sooner or later. Men today place value in cars, clothes, jewelry, money, precious stones, animal skins, and all types of carnal things, that will soon lose all its value. Knowing that our earthly treasures will someday be blown away in the winds, should provoke men to invest in heavenly treasures instead.

There’s a scene in Marvel’s Avengers Infinity War movie, where Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Peter Parker (Spiderman), shared a moment of sad embrace. A few seconds after Thanos snapped his fingers, Tony found himself holding on to the ashes of the young Peter, as he had been snapped out of existence. In a similar fashion, all the things we hold on to in this life, that have no spiritual value, will be turned to ashes, so why devote so much time into storing them up? Rather than selfishly accumulate mounds of earthly treasures, I suggest we do things in this life that will add to our heavenly rewards. For example, love your neighbors and your enemies. Do good to all men. Take care of, and provide for the poor and needy. Share your experiences and knowledge with the younger generation. Always invest your time into doing things that please God. This way, there will be no doubt He’ll have heaps of treasures awaiting you in the future.

Walk in love,

Ell

Power In His Hand

(1 Chronicles 29:10-13)

Men who’s lifestyles are unaligned with the will of the Father, oftentime boast in their riches, accomplishments, pride, and vainglory. These persons seek only to build up their own names, and make them great in the earth. They attach their names to business, schools, and even churches. Pride can cause even the most elect, to succumb to pleasing self, rather than directing all attention to the Lord. This is what causes many to fall, because they grow accustomed to receiving attention and praise from the world, until they prefer the glory and honor that belongs to God.

Conversely, men who have joined in union with God, acknowledge the fact that He alone is worthy, and deserving of all glory, honor, and praise. Rather than bask in the spotlight, they turn the light in the direction of all the goodness of the Lord. Even king David understood the importance of giving God all the praise, as he took advantage of opportunities to share amongst great crowds of people, how awesome God is in His greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty. The ancient king continued to express how men ought to take notice that all riches and honor are byproducts of God’s grace, and cannot be gained the right way, nor prove profitable, except by His hand. “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV).

God desires to make all men great, but only for the purposes of promoting His kingdom, His power, and His holy agenda. Be not deceived by the world, nor its many deceptions, but glory in the Lord, and seek only to make His name great.

Walk in love,

Ell

Do You Love Me?

Isaiah 1:11-17

Would you accept gifts from someone who said they loved you, but was inconsiderate, full of sin, weighed down in iniquity, evil, corrupt, rebellious, and turned their back on you? Whether it was something you desired, or simply something seemingly valuable, would you find it difficult to refuse? Love has been abused since the beginning of time, when men claimed to love God, yet their lifestyles proved otherwise. Even today, many have a limited understanding of what love represents, and cater only to the feeling and emotional aspects of it. The definition of love is vast, yet understandable, but many fail to take time to delve into the core of its meaning.

God is love, and when the term is used, God must be at the root of its intended purpose. When I tell someone I love them, it’s not because I get butterflies in my tummy, or goosebumps on my skin, but I understand they are a precious creation, made by God, and deserve to be treated as Christ Himself. I’d be willing to make sacrifices, and assist as necessary to make their lives better, in an effort to prove that the love I spoke with my lips, was more than mere words alone. Love is action, and our works reveal whether our professed love is genuine, or counterfeit.

Our text reveals God’s feelings toward those who abuse love, and attempt to justify ill actions with gifts. Israel had rebelled against God, yet still believed He would accept their offerings and sacrifices. To their surprise, their sinful behavior kindled the Lord’s anger, to the point He refused to accept any gift, offering, sacrifice, feast, or anything that brought Him delight in the past. Unfortunately, their offerings were vain and unable to please God, so He commanded them to put away their evil doings, and rather than present vain offerings to Him, show genuine love to those around them instead.

When you use the word love, what are your intentions behind it? Is it a tool you use to manipulate others, in order to get what you want, or do you understand the true definition of God’s love?

Walk in love,

Ell

Take a Break

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Suffering is inevitable on the earth, and hard times lay on the path of all men. The wicked perish, and the good die young. We work to make a living, and strive to be consistent in our effort to maintain a balanced lifestyle. The God of Heaven and earth understands that life presents challenges that weigh on the strength of His people, so He doesn’t mind when we take time to enjoy the fruit of our labor.

Men and women work hard for companies who care more about their business, than the total health of those who keep their business producing, so every now and then, it’s alright to schedule moments to bask in the good of your labor. Many people take vacations to escape the routine of their everyday lives, while others find pleasure in staying close to home, to appreciate times of peace, rest, and relaxation.

It’s important for the believer to not only maintain a healthy spiritual balance, but to also keep their natural living in good standing as well. While there’s nothing wrong with taking time to enjoy the blessings of God from your consistent hard work, how you enjoy that time is what matters. God allows us times of peace and rest, but we should never become lax, and forget holy standards during our relaxation. The body of Christ is still obligated to maintain a righteous standard, even during times of rest. Some feel that drinking, smoking, and enjoying other worldly methods are necessary habits of down time, but we are to eat and drink things that are proper, and kept within the bounds of God’s law, and what’s best for our health.

As we enjoy God’s blessings, we are to be temperate, and stay within holy limitations. This way, our lives will remain pleasant to God, and we’ll continue to enjoy a wonderful experience in His divine glory.

Walk in love,

Ell

As the Wind Blows

Ecclesiastes 5:1-6

Have you ever rode past a car lot, or saw on a TV commercial, one of those inflatable wacky tube men flipping, flopping, and flapping in every direction? Those things literally crack me up, and if you stare at one long enough, you’ll momentarily forget about your worries. Although they’re stationed in one position, their movements are beyond wild, and uncharacteristic. On the other hand, when you look at a statue, you notice it firmly planted, solid, and erected to portray the sculptor’s desired vision. Unlike the wacky tube man, who’s blown in all directions by the air from its base, and the winds that blow by, the statue stands strong, and is sustained in all situations and seasons.

There are many today who bear the title, “Christian”, yet are as unstable as the inflatable wacky tube man. Their righteous claim is accompanied by undisciplined behavior, including speaking rashly, showing no respect for the House of God, and breaking vows. These persons are easily caught up in every wind of doctrine presented to them, and find it hard to differentiate between the truth, and lies. Then, there are those who are true to their confession, as a statute is true to its form. Men who are grounded in God, aren’t easily beguiled by deception, and have a tendency to actually change the hearts of those who intend to distract them. Their faith is strong, hearts pure, motives good, and can stand firm in all situations and seasons. Those who follow after righteousness, carry themselves with the utmost integrity. In addition, they have a sure reverence for God, control their tongue, and always keep their word.

Are you more aligned with the inflatable wacky tube man, or are you solid and strong, like a well-built statue?

Walk in love,

Ell

Fighting Temptations

Matthew 4:1-11

One of the most valuable words of advice I’ve ever received after giving my heart to the Lord was, never underestimate the power of the devil. There’s a misconception that’s been going around for years that satan is powerless, and can do nothing to harm the believer, but if you study the Word carefully, and even look back over your own life, you’ll discover that the devil is more powerful than you can imagine. Satan is the master of deception, and he delights in twisting God’s Word, in order to serve his devilish purposes. Not only is he skilled in his deceptive arts, but He knows the Bible better than many of God’s own children (sad, but true). One of satan’s most successful strategies is, confronting the believer with temptation. If the devil can get the believer to focus on his distractions for only a few moments, that’s long enough to ensnare them in his traps. For this reason, it’s vital that the children of God know the Word for themselves, so that when temptation comes knocking, they’ll be strong enough to resist.

In our text, Jesus gave the perfect example of how to effectively resist temptation. After fasting 40 days, Jesus was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (vs. 1). Why would God purposely lead His Son into a trap? Could it be, because He knew Jesus was strong enough to overcome what lay ahead of Him, and also needed us to see how we are to handle the temptations in our own lives? Yeah, I think that’s about right. God also wanted to prove that His Word was more precious than anything satan could offer, and that even in a weakened physical state (Jesus), the strength of God’s Word was enough to drive evil away.

I mentioned earlier that satan has power, and in our text, we see two instances where the devil took Jesus into the holy city, and set Him high, atop a pinnacle of the temple, then took Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world. If you ask me, that sounds like more power than the average super hero. In all his desire to see Jesus submit to his own will, satan was disappointed, as Jesus dealt with the scheming serpent by using God’s written Word.

When facing temptation in our own lives, how we approach it can mean the difference between overcoming it, or being overwhelmed by it. If Jesus had given in to His “hangry” pains, He probably would have turned those stones into barbeque ribs, macaroni and cheese, and corn on the cob, but His spiritual hunger far outweighed the natural, and He was able to easily deflect the devils temptation.

Allow this lesson to be strength to you, as you face your daily struggles. Never give in to temptation, no matter how appealing it may seem, because the grass may be greener on the other side, but it might be overrun with serpents, waiting for the right moment to strike you down. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 6:41 KJV).

Walk in love,

Ell

Light It Up!

Matthew 4:12-17

Jesus is the light of the world! He lived a selfless life on earth, shed His innocent blood to guarantee salvation for all mankind, arose from the grave with all power in His hand, now sits next to the Father, as He intercedes on our behalf daily, and awaits God’s command to return to the earth to claim His people. Have you ever wondered why Jesus did all that for us? I’m all for loving my neighbor, and treating all men with kindness, but to die for people who are arrogant, stiffnecked, hard-hearted, hardheaded, and plain wicked, takes a level of love I’m striving to attain.

The sole purpose of Jesus leaving His place in Heaven, taking on human form, and living among men was, to be light in a world of darkness. In more simple terms, Jesus came to expose the evil revealed to mankind (darkness) with the light of God’s Word (knowledge), and to reestablish the union between God, and His precious creation.

Every breath Christ took while in human form, was dedicated to making others see, and come into the knowledge of His Father’s plan. Christ knew full well that in order to grasp any understanding of the will of God, men were to first repent, turn from their evil ways, then they could freely receive, digest, and properly apply God’s Word in their lives.

When we walk in the light of God’s Word, and live in ways that please Him, people who sit in darkness will see our light, and be forced to make a life-changing decision. Others who are on the verge of giving up, or at the point of spiritual death, can be influenced by our lives, and possibly renew their strength, simply by gleaning from our holy living. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).

Walk in love,

Ell