Say What?!

Proverbs 25:18

Use your words to encourage. Use your words to edify. Use your words to lift men up, until their faith and confidence reach the sky. Speak to men politely. Speak to men with love. Speak to men in gentle tones, to satisfy the God above. Let the words from your lips bring healing. Let the words from your lips turn away wrath. Let the words from your lips refrain from talebearing, as you walk along the righteous path. Use not your words for boasting. Use not your words to shame. Use not your words to puff yourself up, or mislead others for shameful gain. Shout to God in victory! Shout to God in praise! Shout to God for all His goodness, because we who serve Him bear His name!

-Elliott D. Banks

Bendiciones Condicionales

2 Crónicas 7:14

“Si se humillare mi pueblo, sobre los cuales ni nombre es invocado, y oraren, y buscaren mi rostro, y se convirtieren de sus caminos malos; entonces yo oiré desde los cielos, y perdonaré sus pecados, y sanaré su tierra.” Si la gente que dicen llamarse hijos de Dios dejaran de comportarse de una manera arrogante y sobervia; decidieran cambiar y recapacitar. Transformando sus quejas y lamentos en oraciones, si se esforzaran diligentemente por llevar una vida humilde. Entonces Dios dirigiria su atención hacia ellos, perdonaria sus pecados y los colmaria de infinitas bendiciones.

Conditional Blessings

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” If the people who claim they are the children of God, would stop acting all high and mighty, sit their butts down somewhere, turn their bragging, boasting, and complaining into actual prayer to God, diligently strive to live holy, disconnect from all things contrary to holiness, then will God turn His attention to their situations, and forgive their sins, and release the blessings He had stored for them from the beginning (Ell’s translation).

Why Me Lord?

Lamentations 5

“A high calling, associated with low living, results in deep suffering.” God has called His people to live holy, and walk according to His way. Unfortunately, many who professed holiness have been living beneath the way of righteousness. As a result of consistent disobedience and unholy living, many who make up the church, have found themselves in unfavorable situations. Men suffer for many reasons, but when they deliberately disobey the words of the Lord, they’ll undoubtedly welcome suffering in their lives. The prophet Jeremiah lived during a time when the people of God reaped the punishment from the sins of their fathers, and they had reached a point of intense grief and guilt. The sins of those who came before them had finally caught up with the children of Zion, but God was always paying close attention to their situation. Jeremiah realized the severity of sin, and how the mere act of disobedience kindles the wrath of the Father, but we learn in Micah 7:18, “He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” Although God hates sin, and oftentimes brings chastisement for it, He still has love for His people, and will restore them, after they have repented and turned back to following after righteousness.

In Due Time

Philippians 4:6

“I can’t wait to have patience, because patience is a wonderful thing! Hurry up, let me have it, got to get it now! I want it more than anything! This has taken long enough, give me some of that patience stuff! I can’t wait to have patience, hurry up, hurry up, HURRY UP!” We live in a society, where people want things quick, fast, and in a hurry. In the past, farmers took their time to properly cultivate seed, so that good produce could be brought forth. Unfortunately, men have become impatient, and scientists have been genetically processing foods that take less time to grow, unlike traditional methods. Microwaves were invented around 1945, so food could be quickly reheated, or cooked faster than using a conventional oven. We all want things fast, but over the years I’ve learned, patience is a virtue, and good things come to those who wait. There are times when we pray to God, and His response would come quickly, but other times He’ll delay a response for reasons known only to Himself. Just as it’s unwise to rush while growing crops or preparing a meal, we should be mindful of our approach to God in prayer, because sometimes He delays our answer, so that we can learn to appreciate what we already have, consider others who may be suffering, or simply to grow our patience. God knows all, and is aware of what we have need of, so when we are worried whether or not he ignores our prayers, we must realize He has purpose in the delay, and our response will come in due time.

Verdadeiro Sucesso

1 Timothy 3

Aos olhos dos homens, o sucesso está centrado em acumular riqueza, manter um status social relevante e viver a melhor vida agora. Por outro lado, Deus define o sucesso como manter uma boa reputação, ser paciente, ter bom comportamento e não ser ganancioso por dinheiro (entre muitas outras coisas). A maneira como uma pessoa vê o sucesso determinará seu ímpeto, motivação e abordagem na vida, e na próxima.

Verdadero Éxito

1 Timothy 3

A los ojos de los hombres, el éxito se centra en acumular riqueza, mantener un estatus social relevante y vivir la mejor vida ahora. Por el contrario, Dios define el éxito como mantener una buena reputación, ser paciente, tener buen comportamiento y no ser codicioso por el dinero (entre muchas otras cosas). La forma en que una persona ve el éxito determinará su impulso, motivación y enfoque de la vida, y el siguiente.

True Success

1 Timothy 3

In the eyes of men, success is centered on accumulating wealth, maintaining a relevant social status, and living the best life now. Conversely, God defines success as maintaining a good reputation, being patient, having good behavior, and not being greedy for money (among many other things). How a person views success, will determine their drive, motivation, and approach on this life, and the next.

Time Between

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

The time between the day you were born, and the day you cross over into eternity, is invaluable, yet limited. Therefore, every moment spent in this life, should be focused on doing things relevant to eternal matters. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

“Tick tock, your life is on the clock.” – Ell

Because Of You…

Joshua 23

Because of you, the Lord fights for you. Because of you, the Lord sustains your wellbeing. Because of you, the Lord stored up an eternal inheritance for you. Because of you, the Lord cuts off all who fight against you. Because of you, the Lord expels and drives your enemies from your sight. Because of you, the Lord keeps His promises. Because of you, the Lord expresses His unfailing grace, everlasting mercy, and unfathomable love toward you. Because of you…