Tips for Holy Living

Colossians 3

MORTIFY – to kill (literally or figuratively): become dead, (cause to be) put to death:
●Fornication – to be utterly unchaste, indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practice idolatry:
●Uncleanness – impurity (the quality), physically or morally, contamination:
●Inordinate affection – unholy passions:
●Evil Concupiscence – unholy longing (especially for what is forbidden:
●Covetousness – to set the heart upon wrongfully, desire, envy, be jealous over:

PUT OFF – to take off (in various senses), carry away, lead (away), put to death, take away
●Old Man – former behavior, character, deeds prior to regeneration:
●Anger – violent passion:
●Wrath – fierceness, indignation:
●Malice – the desire to harm someone or the feeling of pleasure at someone’s misfortune:
●Blasphemy – vilification or evil speaking against God:
●Evil Communication – unholy, unhealthy, or unprofitable words spoken:

PUT ON – array, clothe (with), endue:
●New Man – renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ:
●Bowels of Mercies – overabundance od compassion:
●Kindness – fraternal affection, brotherly love:
●Humbleness of Mind – having a modest view of oneself; not feeling superior over others:
●Meekness – lowly; submissive:
●Longsuffering – patient; able to quietly tolerate suffering:

The Wrath Of God!

Romans 1:18-23

As evil men continue to take part in promoting satan’s wicked campaign throughout the earth, God in His wrath, stands in position, ready to judge and subdue all who are ungodly and unrighteous.

Men were created good, and free from all wickedness, but when the serpent deceived Eve (and Adam took part), the relationship between God and man has never been the same. Fortunately, for all who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, God will save them in the end, but to those who remain unrighteous, immoral, and in sin, their eternity will be spent in an everlasting fire, created for the devil and his angels.

There are some who believe God is unfair, and should not be so hard on wicked men, but the God of Heaven and earth is just. In fact, God is super patient, and allows people ample time and opportunity to turn away from sin, and come to Him. The Bible reads it this way, “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 KJV).

God is love, and has expressed His multifaceted compassion since the beginning of creation. The God of creation, desires not that any of His wonderful human beings be lost to eternal damnation, nor face His wrath. For this reason, He offers the free gift of salvation daily, so that anyone seeking the right path, can be saved from this present world of corruption.

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

‘Ain’t Nothing You Can Do About It’

Jeremiah 22:24-30

The single-most greatest creation God brought into existence (next to man) was, the woman. Women are undoubtedly AMAZING creations, and unlike men who are simple-minded and nonchalant most times concerning a thing, women are fascinated with details, and prefer to understand a thing fully, before moving on to another subject. Women even have the mental capacity to multi-task at levels beyond human comprehension. For example, I witnessed my mother raise seven children, and at times she would be holding one child in her arm, have one of us sitting on her lap, while cleaning and making dinner simultaneously! What a gal!

When operating in their “creation role”, and not trying to compete with men, women can actually accomplish things that make tremendous impacts in the world, but there’s one thing that makes women quite unique; when they are fed up, there’s nothing you can do to change their minds. I don’t often quote secular narratives in my writings, but there’s a song written by R. Kelly entitled, “When A Woman’s Fed Up”. This song sums up the truth, that when a woman is pushed to her limit concerning something, there’s nothing a man can do to influence, or change her thoughts. For this reason, men wisely do their best to keep women smiling and positive in most of their dealings, while trying to avoid pushing the wrong buttons.

Women are beautiful, elegant, and royal creations, but this trait of being fed up, is a characteristic our loving God, and Father shares as well. God has patience beyond our understanding, but when we consistently disobey His Words, while basking in our sin, His patience eventually runs out. God loved king Josiah, and the life he displayed on the earth, but despised the life of his son so much, until He made certain that no offspring of the wicked king Jehoiakim would ever sit on the throne again. Talk about fed up; God didn’t want any trace of evil to have the opportunity to corrupt the mind of anyone else leading His people. Although the eventual king David made a few noticeable mistakes, he never allowed his sin to consume him.

Children of God do sin and error, but they don’t allow their flaws to define who they are. Meditating and studying God’s Word keeps Saints from falling into the same trap over and over, and plants their feet firmly into the will of God. The closer you are to God, the better you’ll understand His will for your life, but the more you choose to trust in broken and despised idols, the more you’ll position yourself to eventually be cut off from God’s favor.

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

Ell

The Longsuffering Father

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 12-14

Patience is like time; it eventually runs out – Ell Banks. The modern-day “earthling”, including men, women, and children, have developed extremely low levels of patience. We gripe and moan at 45 second red lights, and throw fits when the drive-through lane becomes the lazy river. The people of today have been deemed, the microwave society, because they desire that all things come quickly, so they won’t have to wait long for them.

Our impatience usually causes us to suffer, at times, by way of car accidents, burning our tongues from eating hot foods, or disciplining our children too soon, without questioning their seemingly unacceptable behavior (felt the need to throw that curve ball in there for all the parents).

Patience is a virtue, and was implemented by God, for good reason. Imagine working with an impatient farmer, who randomly throws seed all over there place, instead of properly placing them accordingly, in the soil. Rather than wait for seed time and harvest to run their course, he would pluck everything up too early, causing wasted time, and resources.

Patience also keeps us safe from dangers we see, and those we don’t. There were moments when I would feel the Spirit of God, nudging me to slow down, while even driving the speed limit. Had I not listened to the Holy Ghost, I would have crashed into an elderly man, who ran a red light, and was positioned to ram directly into my car. Rather than curse, scream, and honk the horn at grandpa, I prayed a prayer of thanks to God, for keeping me safe from an accident, and sparing the life of someone’s father, brother, or friend.

God has been patient with man for a very long time, and according to Scripture, His patience will soon run out for the wicked, and those who claim His name, yet shun His righteousness. Man has been given the unadulterated Word of God, countless personal testimonies, and the best free gift anyone could claim, salvation. We have also been given ample time to receive God’s Word, taste to see how good it is, digest it, and compare it to what the world offers. Those who are truly honest with themselves know, that God is real, His Word is true, and the world can do nothing to save them, yet they still must make the choice to claim salvation, before the patience of the Lord runs out.

Walk in love,

Ell

Hagar births Abraham’s son, Ishmael

Genesis 16:7-11, 15-16

Have you ever been promised something that seemed nearly impossible that it could actually happen? For instance, if I told you that someday you’ll win the gold medal in the 100m dash at the next Olympics, but you only had one leg, would you believe me? I’m almost certain you’d probably turn hostile toward me and assume I’m making fun of your condition.

God promised Abram that his seed would be innumerable, just as the stars in heaven. But the problem was, his wife was barren and unable to conceive. To the carnal minded, this promise makes no sense, because how could you produce generations of people when your wife’s womb is locked up? Well, the Bible tells us that Abram believed the word of the Lord, and his belief was counted to him as righteousness. That’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it? He was made righteous because of what he believed.

Well, after about ten years, Abram’s wife became impatient and felt the need to assist God in bringing His promise to pass. In the same manner as Eve convincing Adam to disobey God, Sarai somehow convinced Abram to take her maid as his wife, and have children with her. She was fully convinced that she wasn’t the one to bear her husband any children, so she ignorantly shared her husband with another woman. Typical behavior of the male, Abram listened to his wife, rather then trust in God as he did from the beginning. Sometimes, we hurt or hinder innocent people by involving them in our acts of unbelief. When we have moments where our trust in God seems to waiver, be mindful who you connect to, because your actions could potentially pull them away from God as well.

Hagar was an innocent bystander who’s life was altered, because the man of God lost faith in the promise. The same woman who advised her husband to impregnate her maid, despised Hagar after she conceived. Not only did Sarai force Hagar to get pregnant against her will, but she treated her as if she did something wrong, after seeing that she was fertile. Poor, young Hagar ran away from the company of Abram and his wife to escape the possibility of Sarai making life more miserable for her.

After fleeing for a while, Hagar must have needed to quench her thirst, as she was found by an angel near a fountain of water in the wilderness. No doubt she was contemplating the events that took place at her previous home, so she most likely had a well of tears in her eyes. The angel gave her some shocking instructions. He asked where was she heading to, then told her to go back where she came from. Say what?!?! The angel then comforted her by sharing that her seed would multiply exceedingly, and the child she carries shall be called, Ishmael, because the Lord has heard her affliction.

When we are the victims of other’s bad decisions, God will always remember us, and help put us back on track. There are also times when God will instruct us to return to those who’ve caused us grief, and we must obey, because God grants them the chance to right their wrongs toward us as well. God always has a way of assisting those who were mishandled by others. Never allow yourself to develop feelings of hate and disgust toward those who hurt you. Instead, continue to love them and let God heal you both.

Seek peace,

Ell