The Wages Of Sin 2

1 Kings 22:29-40

…all he had to do was listen, and obey! Like, he literally asked for an answer from the Lord, and received it, yet he refused to do the right thing! Seriously, Ahab?! Okay, let me start over. Have you ever needed help with something, and you couldn’t accomplish it on your own, but when help arrived, you turned it down? That thing you so desperately needed, in order to be successful, or in the case of Ahab, to stay alive, you chose rather to abide by the words of those who spoke lies, rather than truth. The Bible makes it very clear, king Ahab was the most evil man of his time, and was responsible for committing countless acts of wickedness, on behalf of Baal. When seeking a word of certain victory against the Syrians, Ahab’s false prophets were influenced by a spirit approved by God, to speak lies from their lips. The prophets confirmed (falsely), the king would fair well against the Syrians, but God spoke through the prophet Micaiah, warning the king he would suffer greatly, if he went to battle against Syria. In other words, God set before king Ahab life, and death, and gave him the power to choose which to acknowledge. Ahab literally hated Micaiah, because he usually spoke against the wickedness he sought approval for. Why hate a man for trying to save your soul? Oh senseless king. Unfortunately, Ahab ignored Micaiah’s godly advice, and was met with a disastrous end.

Despite how cruel and wicked some people become, God will continue to show them sincere love. But, when God’s warnings of judgment for disobedience are ignored, those same people condemn themselves to a disastrous end.

Make It Rain

1 Kings 18

Many days had passed from the time God sent the prophet Elijah to confront the evil king Ahab, until He was ready to reveal His omnipotence to the nation that had turned against Him. During these times, a severe famine overtook Samaria, but the king and those he ruled were still unconvinced of the sovereignty of the true and living God. After an eventful three years of miraculous signs and provision, God spoke to the prophet Elijah, and instructed him to return to the king with another important message. The Lord said to Elijah, “Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” Could you imagine not having rain for three years? Without rainfall on the earth, there would be catastrophic damage all over the world. But, God allows things to happen so others can witness for themselves, all power belongs to Him, and He alone is deserving of worship, honor, and glory. Unfortunately, men are too consumed in their own beliefs, that they totally disregard the obvious workings of the living God, in favor of their futile idolatry.

As you read further into chapter 18, you’ll discover the very unique and elaborate plan God commanded Elijah to follow, which revealed the falsehoods and foolishness of Baal worship, and brought to light the mighty power of the God of Heaven and earth. 450 prophets who worshiped Baal were left without an answer from their “god of rain and plenty”, yet they witnessed the power of the true God with their own eyes.

Nothing compares to the power of the almighty God. Men and women are drawn away daily into deception, and allow falsehoods to overtake their sensibility, but every idol worshipped by men, has no power to do anything, except distract them from the truth. Have you pledged your allegiance to serve weak and powerless idols, or are you aligned with the God who created all things?

With My Whole Heart

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

When a husband commits to a wife, he is literally committing all of himself, to join in union with the woman he loves. After his decision is made, there’s no room for him to consider, nor desire any other woman, because the one he found, should be all that he needs. When a child commits to a college or university, he or she has decided that all other options did not meet, nor satisfy the expectations they had set. As they matriculate through their years of education, they’ll eventually pledge themselves to the culture and environment of their school, and could possibly be seen sporting their schools athletic jerseys, or license plate covers.

When we commit to something, we literally give it all of us, and our intentions and motivations are usually in support of what we’re committed to. Are you fully committed to God, like for real for real? Does God have the attention of all your heart, all your soul, and all of your strength? When you decided to commit to the Father, did you turn away from everything that’s not conducive to His way of living?

When you choose to be on God’s team, you can’t give in to, nor support anything contrary to His gameplan. God is the creator of everything, so why would anyone choose to reject following after Him? If you’re still riding the fence on serving God and dabbling in things that are unhealthy for your soul, spend more time meditating on the Word, praying without ceasing, and focusing your attention on keeping your commitment to God solid. God is the real deal, and all else can’t compare, so when you give all of yourself to Him, you’ll be making the wisest decision ever.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold… don’t become one of them.

Ell

By their fruits you will know

Matthew 7:15-23

One of the biggest issues that has concerned mankind since the beginning of time until now, is trust. Living in a world full of sin and deceit, many find it hard to confide in people, because there’s always uncertainty whether or not they can be trusted. We research and check the backgrounds of doctors, lawyers, and even ebay providers to make sure they have a trustworthy history before sharing private information with them, or exchanging transactions.

In this text, Jesus gave in-depth analysis on how to truly know a person by recognizing them by the fruit they bear. His focus was geared toward making the church aware of how to spot a false prophet, and not fall in to their deception. Jesus said, “Beware”, or keep away from false prophets and teachers. Although they may walk the walk, and talk the talk, they’re just wolves in sheep’s clothing.

The biggest identifier of who they are, will be revealed in what they produce. The average fruit tree wears its fruit on its branches, for all to see and collect. Trees that are plush and full of leaves appear to have fruit ripe for the pickin’. But that’s not always the cause, because Jesus was once deceived by a fig tree that appeared to have fruit, but was only full of leaves. So he cursed it, and it withered away.

Men and women are taking great risks, teaching and preaching false doctrines, but the fruit of their labor will soon come to light. It would do us well to pay attention to the lives of those who claim to be called by God, and anointed to teach, preach, or prophesy. The sign of a true prophet is, what they proclaim happens. If it doesn’t happen, false prophet.

Most prophets in Scripture who were sent by God usually confirmed what was already in the hearts of the culprit, or to highlight end-time events. There are those who play the game of mesmerizing audiences by calling out personal information about an individual that they dug up before a service, so that the people would be amazed and moved to give large offerings to them in the end. This type of deception is frowned upon by God, and actually catches many saints off guard.

Preachers and teachers who fail to bring forth good fruit, will soon be cut down and cast into the fire. I’m sure I don’t need to explain that in detail. All the false prophets and teachers will one day stand before the throne of judgment and testify that the works they did, were done in the name of Jesus. But Christ will respond, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” These men are in pulpits, on stages, and even in our communities working acts of iniquity.

Guard yourselves against such persons and show others the real Jesus inside of you.

Seek peace,

Ell

Jesus fulfills the law and prophets

Matthew 5:17-20

Before Christ came to earth to carry out His special mission, God established the “Law” to intervene in the meantime. The purpose of the law was to lead people to God, and it was added because of transgression until Christ would come to fulfill it. In no way could the law bring salvation, but it was effective in bringing condemnation and sin awareness to the hearts of men.

The law proved man’s need for salvation and deliverance. Prior to Jesus’ sacrifice, men were commanded to follow the law of sacrifices, rituals, and outward religion. The law also required perfect obedience, which no man could accomplish. So in essence, all men were condemned and cursed by the law. Although Jesus fulfilled the law through His sinless life, death, and resurrection, the laws of Moses shouldn’t be ignored.

Jesus told the multitudes of people gathered near the mountain, in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven, their righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.

Today, we have Democrats, Republicans, and other political, religious, or special interest groups that account for the volatile discourse we regularly encounter. In the Gospels, the Pharisees and scribes are the groups that are mentioned most often, and usually in conflict with Jesus. The Scribes were writers of the Law, and the Pharisees a strict religious sect of the Jews, who believed they were righteous, while despising others.

If the people would put away pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness, then they would be properly positioned to do the works of Christ.

Heaven is the believer’s final navigation point. Now that we are under a new covenant, we are expected to act as new creatures. As the righteousness of God, we are to live holy, be blameless, love one another wholeheartedly, and let the character of Christ radiate from our lives daily.

Seek peace,

Ell