Tag: repent

Promises Fulfilled

Luke 5:12-13

“Lord, if thou wilt…
… make me clean
… remove my burden
… heal my blood issue
… revive my daughter
… heal my leprosy
… make me whole
… restore my soul
… avenge me of my adversary
… blot out my transgressions
… purge me with hyssop
… help my unbelief
… keep me safe
… guard my heart
… bless my soul
… grant me favor in thy sight
… give me a sign
… prove your love
… be my strong rock
… hear my prayer
… lift up my head
… fight for me
… shield me from mine enemies
… give me wisdom
… preserve my future
… lead me
… guide me
… direct my path
… teach me your ways
… bless my children
… guide the works of my hand
… humble me
… keep me as the apple of your eye
… hide me under the shadow of your wings
“…I will.”

Lock The Door!

Psalm 41:8-10; John 13:21-30

One of man’s most essential inventions were, doors. That’s right, doors!!! The use of doors dates all the way back to 1st century AD, when the Romans made folding and sliding doors in Pompeii. Long before that, in 3000 BC, wooden doors were known to be used in Europe. No one truly knows who invented the first door, except that it was first incepted somewhere in central Egypt. In any case, doors have proven essential in keeping things out of places, keeping other things in, and offering safety and security in most cases.

Modern doors can offer extreme protection, and can be even more secure with the proper knobs, handles, and locks. I remember as a child, during hurricane season, we would hear stories of how people had no problem leaving their doors unlocked, because those days weren’t as corrupt as they are now. Unfortunately, that ain’t happening in the average home today. Not only do families purchase top grade locks to put on their doors, but the “Ring” has become a popular addition in offering safety and security in most homes.

We are living in a time when it’s unsafe to leave your home unprotected, because robbers and thieves are prevalent in most societies. While there are laws and authorities in place to help guard against unruly individuals, this fact never really stops anyone from attempting to burglarize your home, if their mind is set on it.

In the same way we protect our homes by keeping all entryways locked and secured, so that thieves and robbers can’t break in, it’s IMPERATIVE for the body of Christ to keep their hearts, minds, and souls open to God, but closed to all things evil. In other words, when we leave any hint or thought of sin or wickedness in our heart or mind, these tiny entryways are more than enough room for evil spirits to enter in, and cause us to fall. This is why king Solomon taught us to keep our hearts with all diligence, and his father, king David, prayed for God to create a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within him. The devil and his minions wait patiently for opportunities to cause God’s people to sin, but if we guard ourselves daily from evil, he can only roar like a lion, but can’t touch the children of God.

Our text gives a very sad example of this valuable lesson. Of Jesus’ twelve disciples, one had allowed himself to be overtaken by evil. The whole time he was in the presence of Jesus, Judas had ample opportunity to turn from his secret evil ways. Unfortunately, he was too far gone, and had been comfortable allowing evil spirits to influence him. The Bible mentions it as such, “And after the sop satan entered into him” (vs. 27a). The devil literally invaded the mind of Judas, to the point at which all his actions were under evil control. The enemy has a knack of influencing a man just enough, until he brings much shame to himself, and those he loves. Then, the evil influences will leave (for a season). How sad… Judas walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, operated in the power Jesus gave him, yet even Jesus couldn’t convince him to change. Let that marinate for a moment…………… I’m speechless.

Never allow yourself to become frustrated or angry when people choose to ignore your warnings for them to change, because some are too far gone, and there’s nothing we can do to help them. These are the Scriptures that bring tears to my eyes. God offers salvation to all men, and requires nothing in return except total soul surrender, and an obedient lifestyle. Sadly, like Judas, many will refuse to accept God’s invitation, and find themselves in eternal damnation. Guard the doors of your heart, and seal all cracks in your mind, so that no evil may befall you, and cause you to sin.

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

Oohhh Be Careful…

Genesis 42:1-5

One of the most influential lessons I’ve learned in life was, be careful how you treat a person, because you never know when you may need their help. Oftentimes, it’s a hard pill to swallow, requesting assistance from someone you’ve wronged severely and repeatedly, but receiving help from others comes easy, when you learn to show genuine love and respect toward them consistently.

Joseph’s brothers treated him unfairly, and refused to appreciate his gift, while choosing rather to see him suffer, than prosper. It’s sad and disheartening, when your own family treats you as if you were their enemy, rather than their own kin. But, through all his suffering, shame, and disappointment, God allowed Joseph to be blessed beyond his imagination.

Joseph was purposed to be blessed for many reasons, but also to lend a helping hand to those same brothers who sold him into slavery. During the time when the struggle through the famine became intense, Jacob commanded his sons to go to Egypt for food. After pondering on this lesson for a while, I’m convinced, Joseph knew he’d run into his brothers again, and God had placed him in a position that the average person would never reach during those days, so being in the presence of his jealous and cruel brothers, would definitely have a different flavor this go ’round. Despite the way he was treated, Joseph showed true love toward his brothers.

Can you show real love to someone who deliberately hurt you? Can you forgive, and bless that person who sought only to kill your hopes and dreams? Is your faith strong enough to endure suffering for a season, so that God can elevate you to a place from which you can bless those who caused all your suffering? Chew on that for a moment…

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Repent, And Keep Moving

Psalm 51:1-12

When a Saint falls, their number one priority should be to first seek repentance from God, then allow Him to cleanse them from their error. Oftentimes, when we stumble, we tend to care more about the opinions of others, rather than coming before the Lord to seek forgiveness. While those who are the body of Christ should strive to represent holiness at all times to the world, when they veer off track, their first conversation should be with God alone. Man has no power to forgive sin, but God has all power, and He alone can purge, wash, and restore us back to our rightful place in Him. Throughout our lifetime, we will fall short of God’s glory, but because of Jesus, we can approach the Throne of Grace, and have our iniquities washed away.

King David, a man after God’s own heart, was responsible for committing two ungodly acts, that caused much misery and pain in his future. But, rather than blame others, or try to sweep those situations under the rug, the king repented, and sought reconciliation with the One Whom he had transgressed against.

God loves His people, but He hates when we sin. Everytime we submit to sin, we acknowledge that what we allowed to gain our attention, was more important than what God warned us against. For this reason, we should always get convicted when we mess up, because this proves that we are aware of our actions, and aren’t fixed on making sin habitual.

After king David messed up, then repented, he committed the rest of His life to service to God. Never allow your sin and mistakes to cause you to lose faith in God. We are born in sin, and shaped in iniquity, so it’s only natural for our flesh to desire things of the world. But, when we put off the old man, and gird ourselves with the new and improved, God fills us with His Spirit, that helps make avoiding sin a lot more easier, than trying to resist the devil on our own.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

Turn It Up!!!

1 Peter 4:7-11

During my adolescent period of development, I would often hear the elderly Saints say, “be careful how you treat people, because everything you do is being recorded”. When I first heard those words, I assumed they meant the government was secretly infiltrating the privacy of mankind (well, we know that to be certain in the 21st century), but they were referring to Revelation 20:12, which reads, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” What we do in the earth will someday be weighed by God, and the works we perform today, will determine where we will spend eternity.

Knowing that this present state of the world is nearing its end, it’s high time that the church increase their desire to please God. Believers are slowly falling by the wayside, and those who remain loyal to the Father, are losing their passion for soul-winning, and edification of the body. One of the main reasons many have lost their zeal for love is, suffering and persecution weighs heavy on their shoulders. When we struggle to make ends meet, or even stay healthy, it plays with our minds, to the point we consider throwing in the towel. But, God gives us strength and wisdom daily, to push past the pain, and endure those seasons of trials.

The church today must continue to show love to the world, and each other, because our struggles aren’t as intense as they were to the disciples, or the early church, but despite the fact that we do face hard times, we must continue in real love, while doing things from the heart, not from obligation alone. It’s one thing to tell someone you love them, but it makes a greater difference when you show your love with actions instead.

It’s time for the body of Christ to consistently walk in humility, spread unconditional love to all, show hospitality without murmuring or complaining, speak only the words that were inspired by God, minister according to the ability God instilled in you, and do all else with the mindset that God is deserving of all glory. Doing our part will represent the church, as God intended in these last days. Many of us exercise with great intensity, perform duties at work beyond what’s expected, or give all of ourselves to those things we have a passion for, but when will we realize how important it is, to give all of ourselves to the purposes of God?

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

Jealous Emotions

Zechariah 8:1-8, 11-17

The more I continue to study the scriptures, the more I recognize the emotions of God, when dealing with His chosen people. Men were created like God, in the sense that we are emotional toward those things we hold dear, and tend to express our feelings in ways that compliment our thoughts concerning our loved one’s behavior. We serve a God who oftentimes became jealous of the fact that the very people He selected to use and bless in the earth, would turn their attention to false gods and idols, who could do nothing for them except condemn them to eternal damnation. God would allow the people to wallow in their rebellious state for a season, but still had plans to use them, once they recognized the errors in their ways.

Think of a time when your child, or someone close to you, decided that your genuine love wasn’t good enough for them, so they began to find pleasure in things or people that seemed good at first, but caused them much pain and shame in the end. It hurts to see those we love, reject us for unhealthy associations, but like God, our love isn’t based on conditions, and we’re always awaiting with open arms, for them to come to their senses, and return.

In our text, God revealed that He had great jealousy for Zion, and even considered punishing them, for the sins their forefathers committed. Woah, that’s intense! Have you ever been so frustrated with one of your children, until you didn’t want to see any of them until your thoughts of wrath and butt whooping subsided? God is jealous of you, even now, and He wants all your attention to be directed toward Him, so why not give the One who created you, all your praise? Why not bless the God who puts breath and life in your body, every day? Why not serve the God who made you with purpose, and has prepared an eternal reservation with Himself, in glory? What is so important and valuable in this life, that you willingly place them ahead of God? Consider what those things are, and either smash them to pieces, or recalculate how much time you invest in them, and make certain God is your priority.

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

Ell

God’s wondrous deeds for all people

1 Chronicles 16:19-27

Up to this point on the timeline of life, there’s not much more God needs to do, to prove to the world that His love is unconditional, His grace is sufficient, His mercy is everlasting, and the truth of His Word has yet to be disproven. I can boast in the Lord all day, because He is well-deserving of it! God is so good, until it’s impossible for anyone to count all the good things He has done for them, because He does things for us that we don’t even notice, at times. Whether God grants us a blessing that’s small, or great, all thanks, praise, honor, and glory should be aimed in His direction.

Countless examples of men and women in Scripture rendering thanks to God for His many blessings, were recorded so that we would have more than enough evidence to prove, without God, we can do nothing to advance in His kingdom. Without the wisdom of God, we wouldn’t be able to discern right from wrong. Without God’s love, we would be easy targets for the enemy to influence us to entertain hate, and all the negative attributes that are tagged to it. Without the grace of God, it would be impossible to receive the free gift of salvation. Without mercy…..my oh my….we would get all that we deserve for our participation in sinful activities. Without the Word of God, we would be lost souls wandering through life, like a man journeying through the wilderness without a compass.

God has done, and continues to do great things for His people, but He not only looks out for His own, He also has compassion on many who are lost. God blesses His children, not so they can boast in things, or flaunt as if they’re better than anyone else, instead, He wants us to boast in Him, while declaring His glory to all nations. The world needs God, and many who are lost have no sense of direction how to find Him. This is where the Saints come in; to live as examples of godliness, in the midst of a dying and troubled world. Our lives are to be light, or knowledge, that leads and guides those who lack the knowledge of God, or are in darkness, to the Truth. God desires to do wondrous deeds in the lives of all people, but there must first be a willingness to change, a turn from sin, and acceptance of the true and living God as one’s savior.

Walk in love,

Ell

Leaders bring ark to Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 15:4-13

The God of Heaven and earth, is keen on things being done according to order. The evidence of this can be seen throughout all creation. The heavens are layered specifically, and according to detail, the oceans are divided and set to flow in various directions, even the trees are designed to take root in the ground, but give fruit above the surface. Order is important to God, and He expects His people to live in such a way, that their lives are also lived according to structure, and order. Order brings balance, and structure allows for one to develop and mature at healthy rates. Operating in chaos only leads to dysfunction, and unhealthy lifestyles.

In our text, king David gathered all the priests of Israel (862 of them), to sanctify themselves before bringing the ark of the Lord God of Israel, back to Jerusalem. David mentioned to the men, how they failed before to follow God’s order of how things were expected to be done, and that he refused to disobey God a second time. So, the men wisely sanctified themselves before God, and were then permitted to transport the ark safely.

God always required proper instructions to be followed in seeking Him, and in carrying out His plans. As finite beings who rely on God for breath, and all other necessities of life, we are in no position to say anything against how God expects things to go. Only our obedience, and positive attitude are what we should give to God, in appreciation for all the things He does daily for us. If God did not excuse king David, whom He loved dearly, neither are we are exempt from committing to God’s order.

Walk in love,

Ell