Conducting daily family duties

Exodus 16:16-21

When God gave a command to the children of Israel, He expected them to be obedient to His word, so that they could enjoy the full benefits of His promises. As mentioned in the previous lesson, God knows what His people have need of, and has a never-ending supply of resources to distribute to all those who bear His righteous name. Knowing that God cares enough to supply all our “need”, according to His riches in glory, one wouldn’t suspect any child of God to become greedy, and expect more than what they actually need. Well, the children of Israel, in the past, always seemed to push their limits with God, even after receiving miraculous blessings.

As they wandered the wilderness, on their way to the promised land, God told Moses He would provide food for them; “flesh” in the evening, and “bread” in the morning. Every day, God would provide enough food for the people to gather from, to feed everyone person, according to their diet. As every man gathered as they were commanded to, Moses told the people to eat their fill, but leave nothing for the next morning. Once again, Israel deliberately disobeyed a direct command and left some of the manna until morning. To their surprise, what they left over had turned into worms, and was “stank”, as the Bible plainly puts it. Why would the people become greedy, knowing that God would provide their daily bread? Many today are just as naive and greedy as the people were in the days of Moses. God blesses us, so that we can in turn, bless others. We can take nothing with us when we leave this earth, so why not extend our extra to those who also have needs? Being greedy proves that a person has little trust that God will provide for them over, and over again. On the contrary, those who’s faith in God is mature and developed, know that God will always provide enough to fill every man’s need.

Do you become greedy at times, and keep all your blessings to yourself, or are you caring enough to show kindness to others after God has blessed you? Don’t be like Israel of the past, by not trusting that God will provide for you daily. Instead, prove to God that your faith and trust in Him is pure, and don’t be afraid to take Him at His word. “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever” (Psalm 12:6-7).

Walk in love,

Ell

The Spirit rested on the elders

Numbers 11:24-30

One of the most valuable resources available to mankind is, electricity. There are many benefits of electricity that make life more convenient for all who have access to it. It’s been noted that English scientist William Gilbert discovered electricity around the year 1600. In the mid-1700s Benjamin Franklin conducted extensive research and increased understanding of electricity. Thomas Edison came up with more than 2,000 inventions, which includes almost everything we need to use electricity in our homes including switches, fuses, sockets and meters. Electricity comes from power stations, the wind, the sun, water, and even animal poop 💩 (yucky, but true)! Without electricity, our world would be moving as slow as a 100 pound tortoise 🐢 traveling on I-95. The power that comes from electricity is necessary to keep our modernized society functioning and performing at optimal levels. Humanity has become totally dependent upon the many benefits electricity provides, until it seems nearly impossible to survive in this era without it.

Just as we rely on the power of electricity to operate things in the natural world, operating effectively in the spirit realm requires the use of the power that comes from the Spirit of God. Without God’s Spirit, maneuvering in the spirit world would be a very difficult, and dark journey. We are made like God, therefore we need His Spirit in order to be effective, as He is. All the benefits and gifts God grants His children are also reliant on the Spirit. In order to love as Christ loved us, we must do it through the Spirit. When we prophesy, speak in tongues, minister, pray, heal, teach, preach, or outreach, the only way those works will bring glory to God, is if they are done in love, and through His Spirit.

In this text, the people Moses led from Egypt continued to complain, because they felt as if the God of Moses didn’t care enough to supply their needs, when in fact, God protected and provided for them the whole time. God promised Moses that He would indeed take care of His people, and had to prove it once again, as He came down in a cloud, and took of the spirit that was on him, and gave it to 70 elders who were gathered together around the tabernacle. When the spirit had rested upon them, they began to prophesy, or speak by inspiration of the spirit, and did not cease (v. 25). Young Joshua saw what took place, and immediately ran to Moses, in hopes that he would rebuke these men for prophesying outside of the tabernacle. To his surprise, Moses rebuked him instead, and wished that all Israel would be anointed with the Spirit (v. 29).

When we do anything for God, no matter where we are, we must be absolutely certain, His Spirit is leading us. Our adversary, the devil, knows the difference between the power of God, and our own, frivolous human effort. If you ever want to see how awesome and relevant you are to God, commit your life to Him, trust that He has your best interests in mind, and allow Him the opportunity to lead you on the path that best suits His divine plan. Without a doubt, you won’t regret this decision, and you’ll personally witness His most awesome power in ways you never could imagine!

Walk in love,

Ell

Support the ministry of church leaders

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Football, like any team sport, requires all members to perform exceptionally well at their position, in order to have a sure chance at victory. Each player has a different role on offense and defense, that directly affects the other players on the field. Where one player slacks, or falls short, everyone else will have to work harder to make up for his mistake. On the offensive side of the ball, the most important and respected position is the quarterback. The quarterback is responsible for a great deal of determining whether his team will score enough points to win the game. His duties involve play-calling, making sure everyone is lined up in their proper position, and getting the ball to the right player, at the most opportune moment. What makes the job of the quarterback less stressful is when he has good protection from his offensive line. The better the line blocks, the more time the quarterback has to make a good decision.

The body of Christ isn’t a football team, nor playing a child’s game, while earning a king’s ransom, but the concept of football can be applied to how the church should support their leaders. Like the quarterback, church leaders hold a major responsibility that require them to be effective in distributing the Gospel to their members, and all who will hear. Those who are called by God for special assignments, such as teachers, pastors, and the such, immediately get targeted by the enemy. The devil hates those who love God, and he tries to prohibit those who teach the word from being effective. This is why it’s important that we do all we can to alleviate as much stress from those who lead God’s people.

Paul mentions Titus, a man who accepted God’s call, and provided earnest care to the body of believers. He was just as eager as Paul to be in the presence of the church, and minister as the Spirit led. Paul and his followers weren’t leaders who went making fortunes from collecting from the churches they visited. Instead, they believed in honesty, integrity, and fairness. Every action and reaction we make, God is fully aware of them, so Paul encouraged the church to simply be honest in how they treat church leaders. Some believe that being a leader and preaching the Gospel are easy shoes to walk in. But, I beg to differ, because as I afore mentioned, these are the ones targeted by satan, and he’ll make every attempt to thwart their consistency in obeying God’s commands.

The modern-day church needs a definite tune-up. We have to go back and do those things as we did before; reading and actually studying the Bible, praying AND fasting, meditating on the Word day and night, giving to the needy, and supporting those on the front line of this spiritual war. Take time now to cover your spiritual leaders in prayer, and ask God to give them continued strength, mercy, and favor as they boldly take a stand for righteousness.

Seek peace,

Ell

Generosity results in mutual thanksgiving

2 Corinthians 9:11-15

There’s an old saying that goes, “if momma ain’t happy, the house ain’t happy.” I think it’s safe to assume that this could only mean when things are going the way mom expects them to, it brings her great pleasure. But in those moments when dad is getting on her nerves and the kids are acting like Power Rangers, beware; the wrath of mom is near! A healthy and functional family isn’t one that’s perfect in all things, but one that is consistent in love, peace, and generosity. The last thing a parent expects to see is a brother or sister fighting over something they could so easily share. But when brother and sister are supporting each other, this usually was passed on from a good example by their parents. God takes delight in seeing His children working together. It’s His will that we prosper, so it’s important to Him that we seek to support our hurting family members, rather than ignore them.

Everyone faces a season of lack in some area of their life. For this reason, it’s important that believers stay focused on the will of God, so that they’ll always be ready to assist when the moment comes. It’s unfortunate that the church has swayed away from God’s original model of recovering from lack when the body supported each other from their own provisions. But people have become so selfish and arrogant until they expect you to work as hard as they did to get what they’ve earned, rather then help meet your need. I can recall a few times when I had to make a few Amscot runs, because “church folk” turned me down for assistance. But God’s model can still work, if only the church would follow it.

Paul mentions the “administration”, or “ministering to the saints” in verses one and twelve. When the church supports one another, four major benefits are exposed. Generous giving supplies the needs of the saints, causes them to glorify God, gives proof of true Christianity, and encourages those who receive, to continue in prayer and holy living. When God meets a need in your life, this builds upon your faith, and helps you believe more when you go through another season of trial or temptation. Many say they love you, but where’s the proof? You prove your words by your actions. For God so loved us, He gave His best. That’s all the proof I needed to believe. When you tell others you love and care for them, don’t hide your hand when they need help. This not only discredits your character, but it also puts a bad stench on Christianity. Be like the Corinthians in this lesson, who had the means to promote charity, as well as the heart to do it. But always acknowledge that God is the source of all provision, whether natural or spiritual.

Seek peace,

Ell

God provides food to the people

Exodus 16:13-17

Everyone has a breaking point. Do you agree with this statement? When pushed to the limit, the average person will eventually show what’s deep inside their hearts, whether it be good, or bad. It doesn’t take much to cause a person to complain when their desires aren’t being met, especially when they’ve been promised something that has yet to be delivered. The slightest sign that a need or desire has been delayed will test the patience of anyone. Even the best will murmur if the pressure goes beyond what they can handle.

Shortly after witnessing the miraculous victory over the Egyptians, and crossing through the Red Sea on dry land, it took only moments before the people would begin to forget about their recent blessing, and wallow in complaint. While they pitched camp in the wilderness of Sin (a desert that stretched all the way across the Sinai Peninsula), all the people came together against Moses and his circle with complaints about how their former situation (enslavement) faired better than their current standing (freedom). They assumed God delivered them from Egypt only to die in the wilderness. But the people were impatient, ungrateful, and dead wrong, because God delivered them to make them better, stronger, wiser, and healthier.

They obviously forgot God’s promise in verse 26 that said, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” Why would God kill what He promised to heal? Makes no sense to me, but the Israelites failed to take heed to His words, thus causing them to murmur and complain. Once again, God has a way of doing things that make me say, “hmm”. God spoke to Moses and said that He’ll test the people to see whether they’ll obey His commandments, or not, by giving specific instructions concerning the provisions He was preparing to provide.

Moses told the people that God heard their complaints, and would provide meat to eat in the evenings, and bread for breakfast. Moses made sure to remind the people that their complaints were not against him, but toward the Lord. So God provided manna in the mornings, and quail at dinner time. But God warned the people to take only what was necessary to satisfy the number of people in each tent. God made a promise, and kept His word. He knew the needs of the people, and wouldn’t allow them to lack proper nourishment. But by delaying what the people expected, God was able to reveal what was really inside the hearts of the Israelites.

How do you react when you don’t get what you expect in a timely manner? Do you murmur, complain, and whine to vent your frustrations? God knows precisely what everyone has need of, and He yearns to supply them. But His desire is that we long more for Him, rather than only what He can do for us. For without God, we can do nothing, attain nothing, and become nothing relevant in His eyes. As you live from blessing to blessing, and glory to glory, be wise in those moments when your blessings seemed delayed, because God may be testing you to see how you respond before the blessing comes.

Seek peace,

Ell

Ask, God will respond

Luke 11:5-13

Before Adam sinned, he had it made in the shade. God prepared a beautiful earth for him to abide in and care for, with no worries at all. He didn’t have to ask God for anything, because everything was already provided for him, even before he was created. What more could a man with everything ask for?

Well, after he was given a woman (of which he didn’t ask for, wink wink), the two love birds fell into temptation, and were deprived of all the rights and privileges they once possessed by default. Due to their disobedience, they eventually were forced to obtain the hard way, things that were once freely given.

Many today lack certain necessities for a number of reasons. Some may be poverty stricken, whereas others struggle with pride and asking others for assistance, to avoid possible shame and embarrassment. But Jesus told His followers that whenever they were in need of anything, to simply ask for it. Christ was responsible for fixing what Adam messed up, so God’s children have been redeemed and granted access to those rights and privileges that were once taken away.

We should never feel bad nor afraid when coming to God with our requests. We are adopted members of His royal family now, and what He owns, we are partakers of as well; joint-heirs with Christ. The God who created the heavens and the earth, sits on His throne in hopes that we commune with Him often, because what He has in store, He doesn’t need, but we do. So why not ask for it?

If you need strength to deal with annoying coworkers, ask God for it, and He’ll give it to you. If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God for it, and He’ll give it freely. Even in those times when it seems as if all hope is gone, or you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one, God can give you a peace that’s beyond a natural man’s understanding. All you have to do is ask, and it’s yours for the taking.

In verse ten of this text, Jesus said, “For every one that asketh receiveth;” Let that marinate for a moment…..Jesus also said in John 14:14, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” Well, if Jesus is God, and God is Jesus, then asking for anything in the name of the Lord applies the same principle. God wants His people blessed, not to make us haughty and high-minded, but to live according to His kingdom standards.

Have you ever met a poor prince, or princess? I haven’t. All that the king owns belongs to his children as well. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it belongs to Him. So ask for what you need, seek for what you desire, and knock down everything that tries to keep you from living a prosperous life.

Seek peace,

Ell