Immortals

Revelations 21:1-7

Imagine abiding in a place, where the God of all creation resides: a place where there’s no possible way to die, nothing to make you cry, or ever feel any type of pain in your body. Can you actually conjure in your mind, no more pains? I know many who suffer, and some who’ve recently passed on who have endured physical pains, and I could only offer prayer and encouragement as support, but there’s coming a time, when God will dwell with His people in the newly renovated heaven and earth, and all things will be significantly different.

God said He will make all things new, including our bodies. When we pass from mortal to immortality, living will never be the same. On the earth, we are susceptible to all the negative things associated with sin, including hurt, pain shame, sickness, and death, but our eternal future with God is secure, and offers benefits the likes of which none have ever enjoyed in this present world.

I don’t know everything we’ll enjoy in the life to come, but I am fully aware that God will be there, Jesus will be there, and the Holy Ghost will be there also. There will be no more seas in the next life, but there will be a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. There will also be the tree of life in the middle of the street, and on each side of the river. The Bible mentions in Revelations 22:2, the tree of life will bare 12 types of fruit, and the leaves will be good for healing. That alone increases my joy for what God has in store for those who endure, and keep His name holy in the present world.

Living in the 21st century is far from a cakewalk, but the church must remain strong, because the harvest is still plentiful, and God desires that all men come to repentance. It’s cool to set goals and have desires to attain things in this life, but only what you do for the kingdom of God, will carry over into the next.

A Servant’s Plea

2 Kings 5:1-14

If you were suffering from a condition that alienated you from people, brought shame and misery to your name, and was guaranteed to make the rest of your days on the earth a living nightmare, would you pass up the opportunity to be totally healed, if told to do something that seemed uncomfortable and unconventional? Would you allow pride and arrogance to cause you to miss out on a once in a lifetime experience, and be left to suffer in your condition forever? I can’t speak for all men, but I wouldn’t hesitate to take that offer.

Our text introduces us to a man who was captain of the Syrian army, and was deemed great and honourable. He was also a mighty man in valor, and while these accolades portray him as someone of great prestige, there was something in his life that cast a dark shadow along his path. The head of the Syrian army suffered from leprosy. According to answersingenesis.org, leprosy was considered a curse of God for many centuries, and it was often associated with sin. It did not kill, but neither did it seem to end. Instead, it lingered for years, causing the tissues to degenerate, deforming the body.

Many have thought leprosy to be a disease of the skin, but it is better classified as a disease of the nervous system, because the leprosy bacterium attacks the nerves. Its symptoms start in the skin and peripheral nervous system (outside the brain and spinal cord), then spread to other parts, such as the hands, feet, face, and earlobes. People with leprosy experience disfigurement of the skin and bones, twisting of the limbs, and curling of the fingers to form the characteristic claw hand. Facial changes include thickening of the outer ear and collapsing of the nose. The Bible isn’t clear concerning the stage of the captain’s leprosy, but I’m certain he was ready and willing to do whatever it required, to be healed from it. Or was he?

After hearing from a young maid about a prophet in Israel who could heal the captain of his condition, the king of Syria sent a letter to the king of Israel, requesting the aid of the prophet. Elisha heard the news of what was going on, then asked that the men come to him at his house. When the captain and those with him arrived at the door of Elisha’s house, the prophet sent a messenger to them saying, “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean” (vs.10). During these times, the Jordan river wasn’t known to be the cleanest, so upon hearing the instructions of the messenger, the captain became very angry, and thought he would receive healing by the hand and words of the prophet himself. He even made mention that there were other rivers more clean than the Jordan, so why not send him to those. Had it not been for his servants, who convinced the captain that the words spoken of the prophet should be obeyed, despite full understanding of the instructions, he probably would have kept his leprosy for the rest of his days.

The captain obeyed the words of the prophet Elisha, and his flesh came again like the flesh of a child, and he was clean. You may not suffer from leprosy, or a life altering disease, but God can do more than simply physically healing; He can restore the joy of His salvation in your heart, renew your mind and spirit, strengthen your weary faith and even bring your broken focus, back to Him.

“Trust God in all things, no matter how big or small, because there’s nothing to hard for Him to heal at all.” – Ell

Friends

Matthew 1:6-15

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Friends.” Starring, Curious Neighbor, and Young Jesus! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!)

Mary: (Yells from behind the door) Who is it?

Curious Neighbor: It’s me!!! Can Jesus come out to play for a few minutes?

(Door opens, and young Jesus steps out)

Young Jesus: Hello friend, how are you today?

Curious Neighbor: I’m hungry, but let’s go skip rocks over the river!

Young Jesus: Okay. Mom I’ll be back soon.

(Curious Neighbor and young Jesus chat, while walking to the river)

Curious Neighbor: So, how have you been?

Young Jesus: I’ve been well, learning and growing daily. How have you been?

Curious Neighbor: I’ve been learning how to work and fix things like my dad. You know, the same things your dad has been teaching you.

Young Jesus: Yeah, it’s a lot of hard work, but we’ll need to learn as much as we can, so that one day we’ll be able to earn a good living when we’re older.

Curious Neighbor: I never thought of that. Why are you so smart?

Young Jesus: …

Curious Neighbor: Everytime I have a problem, or can’t figure something out, you always find a solution. I like you Jesus. You’re a good friend.

Young Jesus: I like you too!

(They arrive at the river)

Curious Neighbor: Alright, let’s see who can get the most skips. I’ll go first….Yaaaaaay, I got five on the first try. Okay, it’s your turn.

Young Jesus: I got five also!

Curious Neighbor: Okay. This is boring now. Let’s do something else. What would you like to do?

Young Jesus: Well, what I want to do, I’m not allowed to yet.

Curious Neighbor: Why not? I’ll help you, if it’s hard.

Young Jesus: No, it’s not that. I was told by my Father I must wait, until He tells me to move.

Curious Neighbor: I don’t understand. Mr. Joseph seems like a really nice man, why would he make you move?

Young Jesus: Lol. It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Let’s go climb some trees before we have to go back home.

Curious Neighbor: Okay then. Let’s go!

*Can you imagine what it would have been like, to be friends with Jesus, during His adolescence years? I can only imagine the wisdom and understanding He had, even at such a young age. While his young friend may not have understood His connection with the Father, I’m certain He never made Himself more than what he was supposed to be to Curious Neighbor.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Friends.” Thanks for tuning in.

Lydia and household baptized

Acts 16:11-15

Love is the driving force that moves all believers to continue in the works of Christ. God Himself loved the world so, until He gave His only begotten Son to save it. Now that we are saved, and have been freed from an eternal death sentence, we are obligated to spread the Gospel of Christ to all the world, so that they too can experience the fullness of God’s love, joy, and power in the Holy Spirit.

The apostle Paul was literally on fire for God, as he took off sharing God’s goodness after his humbling experience on the road to Damascus. He, along with other men of the faith, traveled from place to place, spreading the Word, and winning lost souls for the Kingdom of God. Just as he had a strong passion in his former life when he persecuted the people of God habitually, his new life was filled with a stronger desire to cover God’s children, and persuade all he could to follow the ways of holiness. On his first trip to Europe to spread the Gospel, Paul and his men went out of the city by a river side, and noticed that prayer was being made, so they sat in the company of those gathered, and began to minister to them. This was probably before the crowd had gathered together for worship. A woman named Lydia overheard the men ministering, and yielded her heart to the words they spoke. God can open the heart and mind of any man or woman who is honest, and willing to submit themselves to His Word, but there are many who’s hearts are hardened, and refuse to allow the power of God’s Word to permeate through them. Lydia and her entire household came, was baptized, then invited Paul and his followers to abide in her house and commune with her.

When was the last time you led someone to the Lord? Do you actively look for opportunities to spread the goodness of the Gospel to those in your family, at work, or in the community? Take full advantage of the time you’re allowed on the earth, and seek to win all you can. There will be some you won’t be able to reach, but don’t fret, because God has a way to draw all men unto Himself. Walk in love, and let God guide your steps along the righteous path to glory.

Walk in love,

Ell