Wayward Children

Hosea 11:3-6

How far would you go (or have already gone) to provide for children who are willingly ignorant, disrespectful, and disobedient to your parenting? Do you faithfully care for your sons and daughters, knowing that they are ungrateful for all the love you give to them? When your kids boldly do the opposite of what you command them to do, are they promised to have food and shelter the next day? Loving wayward people is extremely challenging, especially when those persons live under your roof, but take a moment to understand how God felt when the children of Israel consistently went against His commands in the Bible, and performed unpleasant acts in His sight.

God loved the children of Israel, even before they were chosen as His people, but despite continued efforts to guide them in the right direction, Israel respected the call of evil, more than the call of their heavenly Father. When they burned incense to graven images, God still provided healing, stress relief, and nourishment for them. Place yourself in God’s shoes, and allow His feelings to marinate in your soul for a moment. God is love, and gracious to all men, but although His love is forever, His patience eventually runs out.

Despite all of God’s efforts to gain the attention of Israel, their continued disobedience caused Him to eventually cut of His blessings for a season, until certain who were unwilling to repent, were no longer in the earth (and their branches, or offspring).

The next time you perform a self-evaluation, consider all those things that receive most of your attention. If those things bring glory and honor to the name of the Lord, then AWESOME, WOOPTIDOO! But, if you gain no spiritual enlightenment, or grow in the knowledge of God from those habits that consume majority of your time (me and video games… don’t judge me), then reconsider your activities, and commit your ways unto the Lord; trust also in Him, then He’ll bring to pass great things in your life.

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

Ell

The Whole Truth

Jeremiah 38:14-18

God knows all things, whereas men only see things in part. The Lord knows the end from the beginning, while man can only make assumptions based on limited knowledge. From those truths, I’d like to pose a question: Who do you trust more with your life, God, or man? When God spoke to, and through men in Scripture, His purpose was to direct them toward the most favorable path. God spoke to men like Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Joshua, and gave them words of inspiration and direction, that would only prove effective, if the people were willing to obey. When the people chose to obey, God blessed them richly and abundantly, but when they refused, they forced God’s hand to bring judgment upon them.

Our text gives a vivid example of such a lesson, when God gave word to the prophet Jeremiah, to advise king Zedekiah to surrender to Babylon, so that the city would not be burned, and he and his family would live. It’s not an easy thing to surrender to an enemy without putting forth a fight, but God knew that if king Zedekiah had confronted Babylon, he would have been slaughtered. As I afore mentioned, God knows all things, and He gave fair warning to the king, in order to preserve his life, and the lives of his people.

Do you listen, and take heed when God gives you warning, or do you have a tendency of following your own judgment? God can see beyond our thoughts and imaginations, and He left instructions (through the lives of biblical prophets and others in Scripture) that if followed, will keep us on the favorable path. God desires that all men come to repentance, and has no pleasure in seeing them perish, but the choice is ours; to take heed to His words and prosper, or ignore them and perish.

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

Ell

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

God-sent ravens to feed Elijah

1 Kings 17:1-7

Have I mentioned lately, how much God hates evil, and despises sin? If not, then here goes…God hates evil, and despises sin! Acts of sin defy God’s expected acts of obedience to His Word. When we willingly sin, we are choosing to side with baal, or satanism. No matter how pretty the picture is painted, sin is always wrong, and consistent acts lead to rebellion against God. God created man to bless him, and make him to prosper in all things, but when a man sins, inevitable consequences will always meet him on his path.

There was a man named Ahab, who assumed the throne to rule over Israel, during the time when king Asa ruled Judah. It’s been written, king Ahab did more evil in the sight of the Lord, than all who ruled before him. That’s intense! What could this man have possibly done, that excelled above those before him? For one thing, his biggest mistake was first, marrying one of the most wicked, and sinister women in Scripture (Jezebel), coupled with serving baal, building an altar for the pagan god, and worshipping him religiously. Verse 33 of chapter 16 reads, “and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him”. After reading that verse, you could safely assume, God would respond in a powerful, yet unusual way (to get the kings attention, expose his evil, and hope to convince him to change his evil heart). God loves everyone, but He has no tolerance for sin, and will give you a chance to repent, but that window could close before you know it.

During the evil reign of king Ahab, God raised up a prophet to stand against the king, and reveal His power to the nation. Elijah, meaning God is Jehovah, was one of the returning exiles mentioned in the book of Ezra. God sent Elijah to confront the king, then announce that there would be no dew, or rain until he says so. That was an interesting statement on many levels. First, the king probably wondered how a mere mortal could control the elements, after getting over the fact that this man came in his presence to check him. Knowing that the king’s heart was pure evil, God then ordered His prophet to run to a place where he would be provided food and water for a season. Telling a king there would be no way for the fields of crops to be watered no doubt angered him, because food is an essential, and he, along with the people could suffer greatly. The more evil and pride a man holds in his heart, the more God will do to prove to him, he’s nothing without the Lord.

While the king suffered for a season, God cared for Elijah by sending ravens to bring him bread and flesh every morning and evening, while he drank fresh water from a brook. God always provides for those who are obedient to what He commands them to do, and brings judgment on those who willingly rebel. Even today, there are many who are similar to, if not worse than the wicked king Ahab, who suffer greatly for their continued disobedience. But those who are just as bold and faithful as the prophet Elijah, are on schedule to receive God’s best!

Walk in love,

Ell

Keep God’s commandments

Proverbs 3:1-10

This lesson will be a short reminder to all those who claim to be born-again sons and daughters of God, that keeping His commandments always yield amazing benefits. Although heaven and earth are soon to pass away, disciples of Christ are yet mandated to live by a godly, and holy standard. Serving God, at times, seems tedious, and can cause the minds of even the most faithful to question whether or not He sees all the troubling experiences they encounter, but the Lord never slumbers, nor sleeps, and pays close attention to every detail of everything we face. God commanded His people to do things a certain way for a reason. For example, to obtain peace and long life, one must only remember God’s laws, and keep His commandments. While that may be a simple command to obey in order to reap such great blessings, attempting to follow God’s words are usually met by inevitable confrontation. Satan has a hard time ignoring those who seek to please God, because he was deemed, “the author of confusion”, and directs all his focus on knocking them off track. For this very reason, the text reminds us in verses five and six to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledged Him, and He shall direct thy paths”. When we consult God’s advice on all the situations we face in life, it will greatly reduce the possibility for satan to influence us to sin. God’s power never fails, and if we commit all our trust to Him, then He’ll make sure our choices and decisions are stamped with His approval.

From morning, to afternoon, and in the evening, God should be at the forefront of our minds and hearts. His way is right, and those walking along the path He directs exhibit consistent righteous behavior. Make sure you have a full understanding of what God expects of you, after claiming to be His own, because many wear the title “Christian”, but live contrary to what it stands for.

Walk in love,

Ell

Triumphal entry into Jerusalem

Mark 11:1-10

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was spearheaded by the preaching and prophecy of John the Baptist. John, the cousin of Jesus, was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, preparing the minds and hearts of the people to receive the coming Savior. John had gained the attention of many from his preaching and baptizing, but he announced that there was someone coming mightier than himself, who’s shoes he’s not worthy to latch. Many of the ancient shoes were only soles with strings to tie around the foot. Unlatching shoes was considered a mark of respect on the part of a disciple to a master. Knowing his role in God’s plan, John remained humble, while continuing to work diligently until his purpose was fulfilled.

When Jesus left Nazareth, He met up with John to be baptized, so that the prophecy would be fulfilled. Jesus then set off on His way to Jerusalem, to make His triumphal entry. Along that long journey to Jerusalem, Jesus gathered His disciples, taught His doctrine in the synagogues, cast out many demons, and healed some who were sick. Even before being properly introduced as the Savior, Jesus had already made a reputation for Himself. While some accepted His doctrine with appreciation, others fought against and rejected His teachings. Despite facing occasional distractions to His mission, Jesus never allowed petty agendas of evil men to thwart His progress.

As Jesus and His disciples neared Jerusalem, He gave them instructions to loose, and bring Him a colt that no one had ever ridden. He then proceeded to tell them if anyone asks about their actions, say to them, “the Lord hath need of him.” This was interesting because, an untamed colt usually submits to the Lord more than His own people. This can be referenced to John 1:11 that reads, “He came unto his own and his own received him not.” As He trodded along the roads of Jerusalem, many began to welcome Jesus’s arrival by cutting down branches from trees and laying them before His path. Those who went before, and those who trailed behind cried saying, “Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:” Hosanna means, save or help now. For hundreds of years, the Jewish people had anticipated the coming of the Messiah, the One who would restore the fortunes of Israel, liberate the nation from foreign oppression, and extend His rule over Gentile nations, but Jesus came with a very different agenda. “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus didn’t come from Heaven to become a celebrity on the earth, but His mission was simply to undo what the first Adam did, so that God could have His people rejoined to His family.

Although the times are looking more gloomy as the days go by, we all have an equal and hopeful opportunity to be saved from the impending judgment coming to this evil world. It’s God’s will that no one dies in their sin, but that everyone turn away from evil, and give their hearts to Him.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-14).

Walk in love,

Ell