Pruning Season

John 15:1-3

Is it possible for someone to be connected to God, the source of life, and still be dead? I can answer that question with an experience I had during my early years in college. One of the stores closest to the University of Central Florida was, Walmart Supercenter, so I would usually do my shopping there for school supplies, groceries, and personal items. One of the most important items on my shopping list when I went off to college was, a clothing iron. Walking around that huge campus in wrinkly clothes would have been embarrassing, so I knew to keep a good iron on hand, in order to have my clothes pressed to impress.

While ironing a shirt one morning, I accidentally tripped over the power cord, causing the iron to fall on the floor. I quickly picked up the iron, so it wouldn’t burn the carpet, then placed it back on the ironing board. After the plug was yanked from the wall, I reinserted it and waited for the iron to heat up again. Unfortunately, after it hit the floor, the iron became good for nothing except the garbage can. Even though the plug was connected to a live power source, the iron itself was dead.

Our text tells us, all who are in God, but aren’t producing fruit, will be taken away, but those who bring forth fruit, will be purged, so they can continue producing. God is the only one who can remove a person from His hand, and no man can pluck anyone from Him. It’s sad to be in God, yet spiritually dead, because in God we have all the necessary resources required to bring forth fruit meet for repentance.

Even when we fall, and feel disconnected from the source, forgiveness is readily available upon our request. God is merciful, and gives grace to the humble, so all who are in Him must seek only to use His power for good, and not evil. Connect to God’s source of power, so you can be equipped to produce good fruit, but remain faithful to God’s commands, so that your spirit may live, and you’ll never be plucked from the true vine.

“It’s easier to deliver the Gospel of Christ to others when your life pleases God.” – Ell

One Source

Genesis 41:53-57

Trying to prosper in this life while navigating on your own judgment and intellect, will always lead you to an unfruitful end. There’s nothing inherently good in the earth (especially these days) except for those things we have need of to remain alive. Food, clothing, shelter, and good health are most important among all things we can accumulate, and without them, living could easily become a hard thing to do.

God gives those who trust in Him, wisdom required to navigate in the earth. The Lord knows all, and sees the end from the beginning. God knows when seasons will change, whether in nature, or in our own lives. He keeps His children clothed, fed, and protected, during all seasons, and desires that they always be prepared to extend provisions to others as well. It’s hard to convince someone, the God we serve is full of grace, and can supply all our needs, when we’re broke and struggling, but God can and will provide for those who diligently seek Him, and desire to do only what’s pleasing in His sight.

As we continue delving into the story of Joseph, we find where the seven years of plenty had come to an end, and famine took precedence in all civilized lands that surrounded Egypt. Because of Joseph’s interpretation of Pharoah’s dream, God allowed Egypt the opportunity to prepare well, before the time of dearth invaded the lands. It’s uncertain whether or not the other lands got wind of the prophetic words of Joseph, but the Bible noted, “And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn; because the famine was so sore in all lands” (vs. 57).

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we can be certain of who holds tomorrow. God will supply all our “need”, according to His riches in glory, and He expects His people to be ready and willing to help those who are in lack. Giving is God’s modus operandi, and it should be engrained in the minds of all Saints, to operate the same. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38 KJV). God is the source of all good things, and we can always come to Him to receive those things we have need of.

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

Ell

Plugged In To God

Proverbs 3:13-18

Any device that requires a power source to function, is useless without being connected to that same source. An iron will never get hot and steamy without being plugged into an outlet, which will prove ineffective at getting all the wrinkles from your clothes. A vacuum can’t pick up the dust and debris from your floor, except it also be plugged in to a source of power. I can give hundreds of examples of different things requiring power in order to produce, but I’m sure by now you get the point.

A Christian who is plugged into the source of God’s power, has the ability to produce good fruit consistently, while operating in God’s divine wisdom. Wisdom literally makes the believer a force to be reckoned with, in the earth! While some strive for silver, gold, and rubies, those who have direct connection to the wisdom of God, can achieve far more than the value of precious stones. Wisdom grants the people of God long life, riches and honor, pleasantness, peace, happiness, and eternal life. Is that not enough to make you excited?!

This world looks horrible, with all the past, and current events taking place, but the Word of God is still relevant, and we, the children of God, can continue to live out the pages of Scripture, even in this dying world. It’s obvious that suffering will come at times, but never rule out the opportunity for God to work wonders in our lives, as we stay connected to His unlimited source of DUNAMIS power!

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

Ell

Two houses firmly settled

1 Chronicles 17:1, 3-4, 11-14, 21:18, 21-27

When you purchased, or rented your first home or apartment, can you remember the feeling of excitement bubbling on the inside of you, as you contemplated all the ideas and plans you had in mind, to make your new place home? After days of decorating and setting things in place, many of you probably forgot to do the most important thing to truly make your house a home. God is the source of all things good, and even in purchasing a home, He requires that we consider His interest while doing so.

Owning a home is more than simply being in a secure place, where you can dwell in safety and peace, but it’s about dedicating your home to God, so that He can get glory from your place of residence as well. As believers, our homes should also mirror the respect and reverence shown in religious facilities. The same way we honor and respect God in the house of prayer, we should be even more mindful of His presence in our homes. Many problems that occur in the world, and even the church, stem from issues in the home. Children who are unruly, and misbehave consistently, usually can be connected to troubled homes as well.

If God is first in our lives, then His presence should inhabit every corner, of every room in the house. Fathers should always initiate prayer, and other spiritual habits in the home, and mothers should second the motions of fathers, without hesitation. Children are to obey their parents “in the Lord”, because it’s the right thing to do. We’re living in a day, where men have become something else, and mothers have to pick up the slack of both parents, but the God we serve, is able to sustain all those who are willing and obedient to His Word, despite their shortcomings and struggles.

Strive to keep God relevant in your home, as well as in your local church. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, then allow Him to order your steps, according to His Word.

Walk in love,

Ell

Christ, the source of life

1 John 5:6-12

What is life? Some dictionary definitions of life include the existence of an individual human being or animal, also the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. Although those are how men define the term life, the Bible defines living from a different perspective. Merriam-Webster’s account actually comes close to the biblical definition of life where they list it as the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual, or one or more aspects of the process of living. According to God, living is more than simply breathing in oxygen, but it’s the culmination of how your days are spent in this life, while walking according to His purpose, that solidify your eternal reservation with Him in glory.

There are millions of men and women who are physically alive, yet spiritually dead. Some even believe they are living the good life based on their material wealth and other worldly accumulations, but nothing carnal has the power to bring life spiritually, except by the blood of Jesus. The good life is only obtained through fellowship with Christ. Verse twelve sums the message up perfectly as it reads, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” In other words, you’ll never begin to live until you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior, so until then, you’ll forever be walking dead.

The end of our faith and hope is eternal life with Christ, but all who are not in Him can never obtain it. What’s hard for me to understand is, people constantly reject God’s offer of salvation and eternal life when it has no price tag attached to it, but will “sell their souls” to the devil, in exchange for temporary pleasure and fame. As believers, it’s our duty to help others see past the now, and focus on where they’ll spend eternity. Satan is already doomed to the lake that burns with fire, and he plans to drag as many as possible down with him. The church must stand strong and remain on a steady course, so that we can help others become aware of the wiles of the enemy, as well as the sincere and unadulterated love that comes from God. “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11). “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:7-8).

Walk in love,

Ell