Suffering and knowing Christ Jesus

Philippians 3:7-16

The most effective witnesses of the Gospel are those who are the most humble. This was evident in the very life of Jesus, as He walked in humility, adhering only to the will of His Father who sent Him. Jesus was able to effectively carry out the plan God sent Him to accomplish, because He allowed God to have full control of His motives and actions. Every word He spoke, place He visited, and work He performed, Jesus remained in total submission to God’s plan of redemption, salvation, and reconciliation. Even in His suffering, our Savior never took His focus off God’s divine plan to redeem man back to Himself.

One particular apostle who is deemed the most humble of them all (and perhaps went a little overboard at times), was Paul. No matter how far God allowed Paul to go in ministry, he never forgot his past. His life before Christ, was horrible and full of evil deeds, but Paul made sure to keep himself humbled, so that he would never allow his prosperity in the kingdom of God to cause him to become full of pride and arrogance. Paul expressed extreme humility as he made known to the church that he was “less than the least of all saints”. I understand that he was indeed sorrowful for his past mistakes, but if that’s what it took to keep him on his knees, then I’m all in. We all have our ways of dealing with our past, and using it as a way to remind us of where God has brought us from, and the power of His deliverance.

After we’ve gone through seasons of trials and sufferings, we’ll then understand the importance of enduring the suffering, and not complaining about it. Paul’s desire was that the church remain strong and not faint because of the sufferings he endured. Paul’s strength came through his sufferings, and he never lost sight of the fact that God was still in control of his motives and actions. The apostle Paul willingly suffered persecution, and bowed his knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, but by virtue of the power that rests in that mighty name, “every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” (Philippians 2:10). The world should serve God now, and not wait until times get tough. I behoove all those who are engrafted into God’s family to grow daily in the knowledge of God, and share what you learn to all those you love.

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:6-9)

Walk in love,

Ell

Anna speaks of child Jesus

Luke 2:36-38

Throughout the Old, and New Testaments of Scripture, the coming of the Savior of the world was prophesied by many. From Genesis, to the books of prophecy, and even in the Gospels, the birth of Christ had been expected by many, for many generations.

Before arriving on the scene to begin His ministry, God allowed the cousin of Jesus, John, to be born six months before Christ, so that he could pave the way for the people to receive the Savior, in a rather smooth transition. Zacharias, the father of John, also prophesied that his own son would go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways, and to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins.

During the time when all the world went into their own cities to be taxed, according to a decree sent from Caesar Augustus, Mary was ready to give birth to the promised Messiah. It wasn’t a coincidence that Christ would be birthed in Bethlehem, the city of David, because scripture tells us that Jesus was of the house and lineage of king David. Now that God’s Son had been birthed in the earth, word began to spread quickly across the lands. Shepherds received a special visit from the angel of the Lord, who told them the good news of Christ’s birth, as well as gave them information on how and where to find him. Many others waited patiently for the prophecy of the Messiah to be fulfilled, including Simeon. The Bible tells us that Simeon was a just and devout man, on whom the Holy Ghost abided. The Spirit of the Lord revealed to him that he wouldn’t experience death, until he had seen Christ with his own eyes. On the day when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to perform the custom of the law (which included circumcision, ceremonial purification of Mary, naming the child, presenting the child to God, and offering sacrifices), Simeon was led of the Spirit into the temple where he found Jesus. So he took baby Jesus in his arms, lifted Him up, and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel (Luke 2:29-32). Wow, what an honor! Waiting years just to hold the Son of God in your arms, must have been an amazing moment, then to gracefully accept your death immediately after…hmmm, there must be something to this Jesus that makes men and women long to see Him.

The next individual I’ll mention also has a very interesting testimony to share. Many women represented their sex in all historic events in Scripture, but Anna was one who represented women in the greatest of all events; the revelation of Christ. Anna got married at a young age, as a virgin, and shared seven years with her husband, until he somehow died. After her husband’s death, she decided to devote her life to the temple of God. She had been widowed for 84 looooooong years, yet still served God faithfully with fastings and prayers, night and day. How many of us can honestly say that our spiritual habits are as consistent as Anna’s? What a gal! She also arrived at the temple in time to adorn the Son of the Most High God. She took advantage of her opportunity to minister to those gathered, as she boasted in the Lord, and His power of redemption to all in attendance.

The men and women mentioned in this lesson, all lived in expectation of the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He came, as promised, died, as prophesied, and rose with all power in His hand! When you get your opportunity to finally meet the One who made it possible for you to live in peace, and eternal joy with God, what will be your response? Continue walking in the Spirit, and the day will come when you will get that chance to meet, and greet the Savior of the World!

Seek peace,

Ell

A great Priest for the people

Hebrews 10:19-25

Every day that we are blessed to see, puts us one step closer to eternity. We see a world that is suffering from the inevitable consequences of sin, and men care not for their souls as they once did. Our generation is indeed one where perilous times exist. Men, women, and children alike, exhibit characteristics of “unthankfulness”, unholiness, and deceit. Although we are temporarily confined to this fallen world, Christ made it possible that we can live holy, and be separate from the evil that plagues the lands.

I often mention how in the past, the high priest would go beyond the veil to meet God, and stand before Him to atone for the sins of the children of Israel. Christ’s death abolished the old system of coming to God, and made it so that we all could come boldly before the throne of grace. Can you imagine living one day on your own, without God’s assistance? What if Christ never came and died for our sins? What state would we be in right now? Mankind probably would have killed each other off by now, and the church would be nonexistent. But, thanks be to the Lord, for giving us a Savior, to reign as the High Priest over the house of God. It’s because of Jesus, we can draw near to God with a pure conscience, clean bodies, and unwavering faith. Christ’s sacrifice makes us perfect, makes a way of personal approach to God, obtains eternal redemption, purifies the soul, assures justice, sanctifies all those who believe, takes away sin, forgets sins that were forgiven, and gives us the boldness to approach God in humility. With this boldness, Saints are to hold fast the profession of their faith, without wavering. When you confess the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you’re expected to back your words with consistent holy living. The best way to tell who a person really is, is by monitoring how they live on a daily basis. You can butter yourself up with honeyed and pleasant words, but your true nature is always revealed in how you live.

Christ was the ideal example of how a child of God should live. He was humble, giving, kind, and compassionate for the needs of others. To those who say they love God, and have accepted Christ as their personal Savior, can you line up your life next to the life of Christ and see any similarities? If not, take a few steps back and examine yourself thoroughly. Make changes where necessary, and strive to be a better you every day.

Seek peace,

Ell