Tag: repentance

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.”

Tombs For Rent!

Mark 16:6

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Tombs For Rent” starring, the Merchant,  and the Inquiring Gentleman! I’m your host, “HolyEll”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Recently, Jesus had been resurrected from Joseph’s new tomb, and word spread throughout all the land. A certain merchant who sold tombs heard the news, then sought to make a profit from those who followed Jesus’s example.)

Merchant: Come, see my newly renovated tombs, the likes of which none have ever been buried in before!

(Men and women pass by, ignoring the voice of the merchant.)

Merchant: People, precious people, I have the best tombs available for rent. But if you act fast, I can be convinced to lower my rates, significantly.

Merchant: Hey sir! Sir! May I borrow a moment of your time?

Inquiring Gentleman: Greetings. Does your sign actually read, “Tombs For Rent”? Is this a joke or something?

Merchant: Ha ha haaaa. Kind sir, have you not heard the news?

Inquiring Gentleman: Apparently not, so enlighten me.

Merchant: There was a man called Jesus, who was said to be the Savior of the Jews. Well, he was brutally crucified, and his body was placed in the tomb right over there! If you haven’t noticed, he’s no longer there!

Inquiring Gentleman: Come again?

Merchant: You heard correctly, he’s gone! Some say his disciples came in the night and stole his body, but whatever the case, I’ll rent my tombs to all who plan on dying and being resurrected, or having their bodies stolen in the night.

Inquiring Gentleman: You can’t be serious… wait, you are serious.

Merchant: Hey, a man’s gotta work to eat, so I’m working, because I like to eat.

Inquiring Gentleman: Who do you actually expect to rent a tomb?

Merchant: Good question. I guess all those people who followed after Jesus, and believed in his words that someday they too will be raised up from the grave.

Inquiring Gentleman: Ahh, you’re referencing 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 that says, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

Merchant: Umm… yeah, sure… right that’s it. Anyhoo, I’d like to offer you a great deal on this tomb behind me. It’s one of a kind, and very spacious.

Inquiring Gentleman: Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll pass. Hope business goes well for you.

Merchant: Your loss sir. People, people come, see my beautifully spacious tombs for rent. Don’t let the price scare you to death… get it?!

(People continue to avoid the merchant, while passing by, as he furthers his advances to rent his tombs.)

According to the book of Hebrews, everyone will have an appointment with death, and we will all return to the same dust we were made of. For those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, the grave will not be their final resting place. But, to all who refuse and reject Christ’s salvation, they’ll suffer not only a natural death, but a spiritual one also.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Tombs For Rent”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

“Cover Me!”

Ephesians 4:25

During times of war, the most important person a soldier can rely on is, the man fighting beside him wearing the same uniform. It’s absolutely important for those fighting alongside each other to always remain focused on their enemy, while at the same time, covering each other in battle. One of the most horrifying and disappointing moments of a battle is when “friendly fire” occurs, and a fellow soldier is either wounded, or permanently taken out of the fight. This action can either be the cause of losing a battle, or prolonging it longer than anticipated. What’s worse than friendly fire is, when a soldier deliberately turns against his own unit, and begins to open fire on his own people. This is simply unacceptable, and can literally shift the tide of any battle. It’s always good to know who you’re fighting with, but also to keep a keen eye on everyone who claims to be on your team, because you never know who will turn against you when the battle begins.

Fighting the “Good fight of faith” will always come with its usual contention against our adversary the devil, but when the children of God are unified, they’ll usually progress through each battle and grow accordingly in faith, patience, wisdom, and experience. Unfortunately, many who walk with God have taken the unexpected bullet from another who claimed to be “saved”. Not everyone who says “Lord Lord” will enter the kingdom of Heaven, and many who seem to be believers in Christ, are far from doing the will of the Lord. A great number of men and women are simply tares, growing amongst the wheat. They look like “church folk”, act godly, walk the walk, and talk the talk, but secretly, they have a plan to pull you away from righteousness. For this reason, it’s vital for all who claim the name of the Lord to pray always, without ceasing. The devil never takes a day off, so the Saints shouldn’t either. We should always keep our guard up, even with friends and family members (I’m just saying… we’re in the last and evil days, and trust is earned).

To all my Christian soldiers, stand firm, stay on guard, and be vigilant. Let’s strive to keep our brothers and sisters covered, while aiming our artillery in the right direction.

The Pharisees And Sadducees

Matthew 3

During the time when Jesus walked among men, two of the major religious groups in Israel were the Pharisees and Sadducees. Unlike the Sadducees who were more politically minded, the Pharisees focused more on religious beliefs. Opposing groups rarely joined in union, unless they shared a common hatred for a person or cause. This was the case with these two groups. Both groups had a shared hatred for Jesus, so they became allies to work together against Him. Although the Pharisees and Sadducees had some good qualities, their bad characteristics far outweighed the good.

Pharisees Positive Characteristics:
– Were committed to obeying all of God’s word
– Were admired by the common people for their apparent piety
– Believed in a bodily resurrection and eternal life
– Believed in angels and demons

Pharisees Negative Characteristics:
– Behaved as though their own religious rules were just as important as God’s rules for living
– Their piety was often hypocritical and their efforts often forced others to try to live up to standards they themselves could not live up to
– Believed that salvation came from perfect obedience to the law and was not based on forgiveness of sins
– Were more concerned with appearing to be good than obeying God

Sadducees Positive Characteristics:
– Believed God’s word was limited to the first five books of the Bible
– Were more practically minded than the Pharisees

Sadducees Negative Characteristics:
– Relied on logic while placing little importance on faith
– Did not believe all the Old Testament was God’s word
– Did not believe in a bodily resurrection or eternal life
– Did not believe in angels or demons
– Were often willing to compromise their values with the Romans and others in order to maintain their status and influential positions

Inseparable

Romans 8:31-39

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Is there anything in your life, that is causing separation between you and God the Father? If so, what is it? Could it possibly be money, pride, suffering, or even fame that’s keeping you from walking in unity with God? Take a moment to examine your life, as we near the end of 2021. If there is anything, or anyone holding you back from giving your all to God, remove it, or them from your life, ASAP! Don’t take anything from this year into the next, that has been unprofitable, unfavorable, and unholy. Start your new year in right standing with the Father, and allow your love for Him to grow stronger, daily.

No Olvides…

Deuteronomy 8

¿Recuerda alguna vez en que fue culpable de ser ingrato por el bien que alguien había hecho por usted? Tal vez tuviste una madre soltera que sacrificó todo lo que deseaba para que pudieras tener una buena vida. Desafortunadamente, nunca la apreciaste realmente y actuaste como si su bondad no fuera lo suficientemente buena. O tal vez fuiste el producto de la familia ideal, donde papá y mamá te criaron en el temor de Dios, sin carecer nunca de nada bueno. Pero aprovechaste su amabilidad y elegiste vivir sin restricciones saludables. En nuestro texto, Dios había obrado maravillas milagrosas en la vida de los hijos de Israel. Cuando estaban obligados a servir como esclavos a los egipcios, y oprimidos sin medida, Dios los libró y luego los puso en el camino hacia la tierra prometida. Dios le había dado al pueblo una serie de mandamientos y amonestaciones para prepararlos antes de que entraran en la tierra de la abundancia, pero a pesar de todo lo que Dios ya había hecho por Israel, aparentemente se olvidaron y se encontraron murmurando y quejándose la mayoría de las veces. Dios sabía que si los corazones de la gente no estaban debidamente acondicionados antes de entrar en Canaán, entonces todo su aumento los echaría a perder y haría que sus corazones se llenaran de orgullo. A menudo, cuando Dios nos bendice, permitimos que esas mismas bendiciones nos hagan olvidar a Aquel que nos las dio en primer lugar. A diferencia de los hijos de Israel, quienes fallaron en apreciar las maravillosas obras de Dios en sus vidas, también debemos tener cuidado de no olvidar cuán misericordioso ha sido Dios con nosotros. Además, debemos tener mucho cuidado de no permitir que nuestro aumento haga que nuestro corazón se enorgullezca, porque aquí es cuando fácilmente nos olvidaremos de Dios. Cuando nos olvidamos de Dios, nos alineamos en el camino que conduce a la destrucción.

Don’t Forget…

Deuteronomy 8

Can you remember a time, when you were guilty of being ungrateful for the good someone had done for you? Maybe you had a single mother who sacrificed all she desired, so that you could have a good life. Unfortunately, you never really appreciated her, and acted as if her good wasn’t good enough. Or, maybe you were the product of the ideal family, where dad and mom raised you in the fear of God, never lacking anything good. But, you took advantage of their kindness and chose to live without healthy restraints. In our text, God had worked miraculous wonders in the lives of the children of Israel. When they were bound to serve as slaves to the Egyptians, and oppressed beyond measure, God delivered them, then set them on a path to the land of promise. God had a given the people a number of commandments and admonitions, to prepare them before they entered the land of plenty, but despite all God had already done for Israel, they seemingly forgot, and found themselves murmuring and complaining more often than not. God knew, if the hearts of the people were not properly conditioned before entering Canaan, then all their increase would spoil them rotten, and cause their hearts to become filled with pride. Oftentimes, when God blesses us, we allow those same blessings to cause us to forget the One who gave them to us in the first place. Unlike the children of Israel, who failed to appreciate the awesome works of God in their lives, we should also be mindful not to forget how merciful God has been to us. In addition, we must be very careful not to allow our increase to cause our hearts to become prideful, for this is when we will easily forget God. When we forget God, we align ourselves on the path that leads to destruction.