“If God Be For Us…”

Romans 8:31-39

Without God, we are defeated, but with God, we are more than conquerors! Without God, we are separated from Christ, but with God, we are inseparable from Christ! Without God, all who come against us can bring us harm, but with God, all who come against us have no chance! Without God, we have no Savior, but with God, the Savior was given for all! Without God, we toil and labor in vain, but with God, our acts of faith are counted as righteousness! Without God, all are condemned, but with God, all have an opportunity to be redeemed! Without God, we are left without hope and alone, but with God, Christ maketh intercession for us! Without God, we can be carried away by tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword, but with God, we are covered from all that forms against us! Without God, we live in vain, but with God, we die daily for a greater purpose!

Love Your Enemies

Jonah

Has there ever been a time in your life, when you hoped (and even prayed) for God to allow someone to remain in wickedness, and never come to their rescue? It would have pleased you so much, to see the person you despised, die in the midst of their unhealthy lifestyle, and you wouldn’t have lost a second of sleep after. If God told you to go to that person, and tell them He would soon deliver them from their struggle, clean them up, and set them on a better path in life, would you hesitate to deliver His message? Despite the history you may have had with someone who probably rubbed you the wrong way, when God sends you, you must go, or negative and even life-threatening consequences could follow. This was the case with the prophet Jonah, in our text.

Jonah was receptive to God the Father, and could hear clearly when He brought words to him, but, when God gave a word to him that would help those he so dreadfully loathed, the once reliable prophet chose rather to hide himself from the presence of the Lord (as if he could), and set sail in the opposite direction. The story of Jonah is an interesting one, as it reveals how the heart of a man can change quickly, especially after a life and death encounter. The same heart that could change from stone to flesh, could also revert back to stone in a moment’s notice. Oh how fickle are the ways of man.

Jonah grew up hating the people of Ninevah, so much to the point he did not want God to show them mercy. While trying to run from God’s assignment, Jonah caused innocent men to lose their valuables, when throwing them overboard, as God allowed a great storm to disturb the sea, while he hid on a ship. Whether we notice it or not, when we resist God, we affect the lives of others, and cause harm to those who had nothing to do with our disobedience. Jonah revealed to the men, he was the cause of the storm, and knew that he must be thrown overboard, so the storm would cease.

Long story short, God prepared a great fish (whale) to swallow Jonah, and allow him a moment of reconsideration. Not only did Jonah change his thoughts while descending into the depths of the sea, some say he literally died, signifying the events of the coming Savior. In any case, Jonah was in no position to bargain with God, so he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving, God caused the whale to vomit him on dry land, then he turned a three day trip to Nineveh, into one day (not sure if he ran, or was on horseback).

So, Jonah finally fulfilled his mission, and did as God commanded him to. After bringing a life-saving word to the people of Ninevah, their reception of the message was taken very seriously. When the king of Ninevah heard the word, he proclaimed for all the people (and animals) to fast, and reverence the God of Heaven, seeking remission of their sins. Once again, when we refuse to obey the Lord, we could potentially cause whole cities to be destroyed. Knowing this, when God speaks to you (whether through the Holy Scriptures, or the spirit of your mind, by His Spirit) take heed, and don’t delay, because hesitation could be detrimental to yourself, and those you were sent to help.

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?

Righteous Fruit

Isaiah 5:1-7

What do you do, when you deposit seed from a fruitful source, into a fruitful place, provide ample rain, yet the seed fails to produce properly? Under normal conditions, seeds usually produce bountifully in ideal situations such as these, but there must be outside forces that would cause them not to bring forth, as they are expected to. In our text, God removed all things that protected His vineyard, and provided the necessary elements to keep it nurtured, because it wasn’t producing the right fruit. God created man from a fruitful source, placed them in a very fruitful place, but they failed to bring forth fruit meet for repentance. So, God removed His protection from man, and allowed other influences to consume them, because of their corruption. Our lesson’s text is in reference to the house of Israel, and the men of Judah, who instead of producing righteousness and judgment, brought forth oppression and tears. So, God removed His hand of protection from them, so that judgment could conform them back in shape.

Many today of the house of God, aren’t producing as they should, and may require a bit of chastisement to get them back in shape. We serve a bountiful God who is full of grace and mercy, yet we often cling to other things that are unfruitful, while turning away from the source of all power. Set your roots in the Word of God, and allow Him to nurture and cultivate your life, so that you can begin to produce good fruit on a consistent basis.

“The enemy uses our dirt to shame and manipulate us. God uses it to harden our foundation and strengthen our faith in Him.” – Ell

Send the rain

2 Chronicles 6:26-31

Conditions are a proven way to ensure that parties locked into certain agreements receive just due for their actions. For example, parents often say things to their children like, “if you don’t clean your room, then you’ll get a spanking”. Notice, the parent and child are bound together by blood, and it’s expected of the child to obey the commands of their parent, so “if” the child obeys, “then” no harm will come to their backside (or in this day, lose their cell phone). But, “if” the child refuses to obey what they were commanded, “then” they’ll be punished for their inaction. If conditions weren’t set in place, people would take advantage of other’s kindness, and generosity.

In our text, king Solomon continued his prayer of dedication amongst the children of Israel. The wise king loved God with all his heart, and wanted the best for God’s people, so in his prayer, he placed certain conditions, so that the people would always have a way to return to good standing with the Father. Humans are susceptible to making mistakes, no matter how “holy” they appear to be, so in those moments when the people mess up, their sincere cry to God for repentance, would win them God’s favor again. Even today, we can come to God in humble submission, to repent of our sins, but it’s unwise to grieve the Spirit, by continuing to do things that separate us from the Father. God desires to rain blessings on His people continuously, but we must meet the conditions set in place, in order to receive all that God has in store for us. “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” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV).

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

God sends the rain to everyone

Matthew 5:43-48

This lesson text has been introduced in a more recent lesson, but it’s always good to go back and re-read familiar passages, because you never know how much more revelation God can reveal during your studies. The more silver that continues to invade my beard, the more I try to get a better understanding of the concept of God’s love. In this technologically advanced age, many have began to fall away from the hand of God. For example, going to church has been replaced with going to the game, getting our hair or nails done, or mowing the lawn. Jesus said in Matthew chapter 24, “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” People have found countless reasons not to give God the time and glory He deserves. Despite whether or not people do the things that are pleasing to God, He still allows the rain to fall on the just, and the unjust.

Why is God so good, even to those who fail to reverence Him? Well, in the beginning God created, and what He created He called it good. Although sin caused separation between God and man, He still loves them unconditionally. As a loving parent, God teaches, disciplines, corrects, monitors change, then rewards. Growing up, I despised spankings (especially arm pinches), so I tried my best to always do my chores and do well in school. But there were times when my parents would have to discipline me for various reasons, but their chastisement was only done out of love. No matter how many times I fell out of line, they never stopped providing for me. This is how God handles people. There are no favorites in the family of God, so He treats us all the same, but unbelievers also enjoy the benefits of God’s creation.

We all need rain for various reasons. Water is essential to human survival. The plants we grow, the animals we raise, and the requirements of the human body to stay hydrated are all dependent on water…clean water. Rainwater fills streams, rivers, and lakes. It carries with it not only the potential for life but also a history of its own past. (modernsteader.com)

God set things in order so that we can live long enough to not only enjoy the fruit of our labor, but to eventually give our hearts to Him. What sense would it make for God to only provide for those who are saved, while neglecting everyone else. Imagine if only believers enjoyed the benefits of clean water, fresh air, and good crops. That doesn’t sound fair at all. But God loves everyone, including His enemies, so He’ll continue to allow His rain fall on them, while giving them time to turn from their sinful ways.

God commanded His children to love, because He is love. When we love the right way, it creates an opportunity for others to receive the Word, and pique their interest to learning more about God. Follow God’s example on how to love, because His way always proves positive outcomes.

Seek peace,

Ell