Tag: Save

Foolish Redemption

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

     Many Jews thought the good news of Jesus Christ was foolish, because they thought he would be a conquering King, bringing signs and miracles. Jesus had not restored David’s throne as they expected. Also, he was executed as a common criminal, and how could a common criminal be a savior? Greeks also considered the gospel foolish, and did not believe in a bodily resurrection. They did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods, and they thought no reputable person would be crucified. To them, death was defeat, not victory.
     The good news of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many people today. Our society worships power, influence, wealth, and other futile things. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant, and he offers his Kingdom to those with faith, not works. This looks foolish to the world.
     The message of Christ’s death for sins also sounds foolish to those who don’t believe. Death seems to be the end of the road, the ultimate weakness, but Jesus did not stay dead. His resurrection shows his power even over death. He will save us from eternal death, and give us everlasting life, if we trust him as our savior and Lord. This sounds so simple that many people won’t accept it. They try other ways to obtain eternal life, but their attempts will not work. The foolish people, who simply accept Christ’s offer, are actually the wisest of all, because they alone will live eternally with God.

– Life Application Study Bible (pg. 1997-1998)

Save Somebody

Psalm 25:1-10

Witnessing this present world continue its steady decline in its morality and sense of humanity, should provoke those who love God to consider their ways, and shift their focus on what’s really important. Time is passing by quickly, as prophetic events continue to manifest, so it’s imperative that the children of God make it their business to do those things that are pleasing to the Father, and not get caught up in carnal living.

Christians must first be sure that their own souls are right with God, and be diligent in obeying His Word. Although the world is full of distractions, which easily pull men’s attention from God, believers must strive to hold up a holy standard, in the midst of a fallen world. Salvation through the Son is free, and all who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, shall be saved. But, being saved from sin is only the beginning of a new life in Christ. Maintaining a healthy balance of godly living is essential in the development of a man or woman’s spirituality.

Many say they are saved, yet their living aligns more with the world, rather than holiness. For this reason, it’s important for the church to be a light in this dark world, to show those who are lost, salvation is real, and the benefits of living for God far outweigh the temporary rewards this dying world offers.

I admonish all who claim to be sons and daughters of God, to continue in prayer, study and meditate on the Word, and keep your hearts with all diligence. There’s not much time left on the earth, despite how social media and other sources paint the world to be. Judgment is soon coming to the earth, and all who refuse to accept salvation will be lost forever.

After you’ve saved yourself (by accepting Jesus into your heart), go out and save as many more as you can, because he who wins souls is wise in God’s eyes.

Save Me From Me

James 4:1-7

One of the hardest battles many will face in life is, overcoming their own selves. While warring against the forces of darkness can present formidable challenges to the believer, the battle of self tends to hold a bit more weight. When a man is unstable in his mind, his ways will correlate with that same instability. Some negative effects associated with the actions of those who are unable to control their wavering desires include unanswered prayers, unfair treatment toward others, and possibly becoming an enemy to God Himself. That’s right, you could be on the other side of the spiritual battle, simply by joining yourself to those things that displease the Father.

An unstable mind will cause men to act on lustful desires, and do those things that cause separation between themselves and God. Have ever wondered why you often find yourself lashing out at innocent people for no reason? Well, maybe it’s because you are dealing with things within yourself, that require godly resolution. Have you been praying and waiting for God to give you things you think you need? If you’re still waiting, maybe you are asking for things, only to satisfy evil desires. Many times God ignores your requests, because what you are seeking will cause you harm, rather than good.

During a time like 2020, do you really want to be on the front lines with satan, facing God and His royal army? If not, then get right on the inside, change your ways, come to grips with reality, let go of sin, cling to salvation, walk in the Spirit, humble yourselves before God, and allow His grace to save you from you, so that your life can begin to have a positive impact in the earth.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell

Do Your Job

Genesis 37:12-17

What role do you play in God’s divine plan? Were you called to preach, teach, or prophesy? Or, are you more inclined to work behind the scenes, doing things that help many, while refusing recognition? All members of the body of Christ play a major part in fulfilling God’s overall plan for this present earth. Whether your duties require hard physical labor, or other approaches, the end goal for all believers is to see God in peace, but along our journey to Heaven, we are urged to influence others to join us on the righteous path.

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

Saved For A Purpose

Matthew 11:7-19

Hey born-again man, and sanctified woman… guess what? The world hates you! Do you wanna know why? Well, it’s simple. The world hates you, because you walk, talk, and act like Jesus. That’s it! You are a living example of what holiness is in the 21st century, and satan can’t stand it! He and his minions have been trying to silence the message of the Gospel for thousands of years. Every day you get out of bed, demons devise plans to wreck your day, but they are hardly successful, because God has angels watching over you, and fighting in the realm of the spirit, on your behalf.

You, mighty man, and virtuous woman, are the reason why the devil works diligently to thwart the plan of God. God has already passed judgment on the devil and his demonic accomplices, but until the day of judgment comes, the enemy roams free, seeking only to bring the children of God down with him. Have you ever seen, or heard of a situation where a person was drowning, and when someone came to rescue them, they panicked, causing their rescuer to drown with them? Well, satan is doomed, and is frantically attacking the church, in hopes that they will fall out of right standing with God, and spend eternity with him, in the lake of fire. I hate to burst satan’s bubble, but you, man of valor, and highly favored woman, are too focused, and motivated on fulfilling God’s will for your life, and you will not bow down to the forces of evil and wickedness!

This is the generation the prophets of old would love to experience, because these are the days when, “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:” (Acts 2:17). I say to you courageous man, and faithful woman, be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power. God sits high, and is observing all that’s going on in the earth. He is neither surprised, nor caught off guard by the goings on of mankind. But, God is watching you, redeemed man and woman, to see how you will conduct yourselves in these end times.

Will you fall short, after running the race faithfully for years? Will you break and give in to the pressures of this perverse society? Or, will you stand strong and be bold, as the apostles were as they faced persecution on levels far beyond anything we’ve ever experienced? Know this; you are special to God, and He is your biggest supporter. Make Him proud of you, by living according to righteousness, no matter how rough and tough your life may get, knowing that it’ll all be worth it, in the end.

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

Ell

What Are You Preaching?

Ephesians 3:7-13

The purpose of proclaiming the Word of God is, to edify and build the faith of those who are in Christ Jesus. When the believer’s faith is strong enough to understand God’s will for their lives, they can then put their faith to work, by compelling others to come, and become partakers and fellow-heirs of the body of Christ. If faith comes by hearing the Word of God, then all who preach God’s Word, should seek only to strengthen the faith of those who receive their words.

The church was established to continue the representation of God’s holy way, from the time of the disciples, until now. It’s unfortunate how many churches have conformed more to worldly standards, rather than holding fast to the standards set by the early church. The original disciples, along with those who were commissioned to go out and preach the Gospel, were keen on delivering pure, and unadulterated words inspired by God. They were bold, effectual, and most important, they were humble.

Early church leaders suffered greatly for delivering the Gospel message, but the more they were persecuted, the harder they worked to win souls. The same can hardly be said about modern churches, as the preaching of the Gospel message has been altered to satisfy itching ears, instead of building the faith of believers. The apostle Paul set a prime example of how leaders should carry themselves among the body, and of all the things he was accused of in his past, Paul never allowed them to distract him from his purpose. The great apostle went so far as to consider himself “less than the least of all saints” (vs. 8). This was an expression of extreme humility, which kept Paul safe from allowing pride to settle in his heart.

Leaders today should live in such a way, that God gets all the glory from their lives, and they should seek none for themselves. The average preacher you see on TV nowadays, dresses better than movie stars, drives the most expensive vehicles, print their names and faces on all the material they sell, while preaching messages that are 2 percent God, and 98 percent hot garbage. God desires that all men come to repentance, but men who refuse to preach the truth, make it hard for those who are sincere in seeking a better life.

Judgment is coming to the house of God, but it saddens me to witness many being deceived, because of men and their lust for fame and fortune. To those who remain true to God’s Word, be encouraged, and don’t allow anything to keep you from falling short of God’s glory. Continue to preach the Word in season, and out of season. Be bold in your proclamations whether people want to hear it, or not. Always remember, God will hold you accountable for how you influence the minds and hearts of others. So, if your aim is to use the Bible to deceive for selfish gain, rather than edify the body of Christ, then you’re in line to receive very harsh judgment, from God Himself. “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)

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

Ell

Hang In There

Zephaniah 3:14-20

“In that day…” Fighting the good fight of faith, has taken its toll on many faithful believers. Despite how prepared we are to face daily struggles, and fiery darts from the enemy, there’s only so much we can take, until we reach the point of breaking. We’ve been given the helmet of salvation, to guard our confession of being reunited with the Father, the breastplate of righteousness, to protect our hearts, as we boldly proclaim the Gospel, our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, so that we will always be swift to run, and not be weary, the shield of faith, to block all attacks from the enemy, and the sword of the Spirit, to slice and dice all manner of evil that confronts us.

God knew, living in a world of sin wouldn’t be a cakewalk, so He provided necessary spiritual tools, to keep us protected during our journey. The one thing I am grateful for the most is, knowing that our trouble has a deadline. There’s coming a day, when God will stand in the midst of us, and cast out all our enemies. At that time, there will be no reason for us to fear, because God will gather His people together, and give them joy, while allowing them to rest in His love. All who have suffered for the sake of righteousness, struggled while trying to maintain holiness, and contended for the faith, will soon be relieved from all their worries. In that day, God will undo all of our afflictions, whether they be sickness, pain, misery, persecution, or other attacks. The day is fast approaching, when God will turn back the captivity of the Saints, then all who proclaim God’s salvation, will see the goodness of the Lord, with their own eyes. Stay in the fight, and don’t give up, because God will soon step in to undo all that opposes His people.

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

Ell

Save Me!!!

Isaiah 49:1-7

If you were swimming in the ocean, and was caught off guard by an undertow current, would you ignore the help of an experienced lifeguard, swimming to your rescue? If you were severely injured in an automobile accident, and was unable to move, would you tell the ambulance and rescue team, you’ll figure things out on your own? When we’re in trouble, we rarely turn down the opportunity to receive assistance, especially if it’s rendered free of charge. Men and women are in position, in various areas of life, to aid and assist those, who require help. Whether a person was involved in a car accident, work injury, burglarized, or whatever the case, there are always people at the ready, to meet their need.

The world was once drowning in sin, and needed a savior, so God prepared for Himself, a body, by which to come to the earth, and redeem man back to Himself. For various ungodly reasons, many have refused to accept God’s help, and chose to figure things out on their own. These people fail to realize the gravity of the situation they’re in, and can ill afford to die in their sin, yet God offers limited time for them to reach out, and take hold of His hand.

Refusing to accept God’s free gift of salvation, is equivalent to the person rejecting the lifeguard’s help, while being pulled underwater, by an undertow current. Sin is real, and the devil cares nothing for men’s souls. For this reason, he attacks the children of God relentlessly, and won’t stop until his judgment is executed. Snap out of your world of selfishness and pride, and reach out to grab hold of God’s saving hand. Don’t allow the waves of sin to pull you under, into an eternity of sorrow.

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

Ell