Special Delivery

Luke 1:26-38

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Special Delivery!” Starring, Mary, and Gabriel the Messenger! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Mary walks from the kitchen to the living room while cleaning, then suddenly sees the angel Gabriel appear before her)

Mary: (Screams frantically!!!) Who are you? What are you doing here? How did you get in my house? What is happening right now?

Gabriel: Calm down Mary, everything is fine. I am Gabriel. I was sent by God to give you some very exciting news!

Mary: I’m extremely sorry I screamed in your face. Allow me a moment to sit, and catch my breath.

(Mary sits on the couch, and looks puzzled at Gabriel’s presence)

Gabriel: Oh Mary, you are highly favored, and the Lord is with you. You are truly blessed among women.

Mary: I don’t understand your words sir. What do you mean? What is this about?

Gabriel: Fear not, Mary. You have found favor with God. I’ve come to tell you, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name JESUS.

(Mary’s puzzling look grows more intense)

Gabriel: The child you birth will be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.

Mary: I…..but…..

Gabriel: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Mary: Forgive me kind sir for my puzzled gaze, but how shall this be, seeing I know not a man.

Gabriel: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mary: All this seems unreal, and hard to fathom.

Gabriel: I understand how you must feel right now, but if it makes you feel any better, your cousin Elisabeth, the one who was called barren, she’s already six months pregnant, even in her old age.

Mary: How did you know that?

Gabriel: Mary, with God, nothing shall be impossible.

Mary: Well sir, be it unto me, according to thy word.

(Gabriel departs, and Mary sits for hours, pondering over the message she had received from the angel)

*Every word spoken of Jesus before His birth, was fulfilled. He, along with his cousin John, would be great, but Jesus would be even more greater, because He was indeed, the Son of God. God saw something in Mary, to trust her with birthing the Savior of the world, and her humility and submission to Gabriel’s message, proved that she was well able to carry out God’s plan for her life. What has God called you to do? Have you submitted yourself to carrying out His plan for your life? Or, are you too busy concerning yourself with the business of others? Focus your time and efforts on doing what God has called you to do, then watch Him bless you, as you walk in obedience to His commands.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Special Delivery”! Thanks for tuning in.

Gifted!

Genesis 41:9-13

The body of Christ is fitly joined together with countless members, each having their own talents, gifts, and special abilities. The Bible mentions some gifts as prophecy, teaching, helps, and many others. All of what we do for the kingdom of God is important, and not one person does God favor over another, because He loves us all the same.

In order to effectively walk worthy of the vocation, or calling wherewith we were called, we must remain humble, and patiently navigate according to God’s timing. Too often, many who discover their gift in God, have a tendency of stepping out too early, before fully understanding how to operate in that gift. While gifts indeed come without repentance, we must not abuse God’s blessings by operating in them unworthily, or before time. For example, if God called you to prophesy, it wouldn’t be wise for you to use your gift for show, or selfish gain. Instead, your gift of prophecy should be used to help the church grow, and edify all who need to be lifted.

In our text, Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams, and God allowed him to exercise that gift at appointed times, and for specific people. Joseph didn’t attempt to go around interpreting everyone’s dreams, in order to flaunt his gift, but he allowed God to place him in the right situations, so that his gift could be used to bring glory to His name.

Do you use your gift to show off, and draw attention to yourself? If so, you should reconsider your motives, before you are met with strict chastisement from the Father. God doesn’t regret making you super special, but He desires that you walk in humility, and use your gifts to help others, and not yourself. God will always take care of your business, so long as you take care of His.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell

You Are Special

Isaiah 61:1-7

I often reference one of my favorite quotes which says, “The end of a matter, with God, is always good, and if it’s not good, then it’s not the end of the matter.” These words encourage, and inspire me to continue fighting the “good fight of faith”, despite what I see going on around me. Bad things happen to good people, and suffering comes as a package deal with salvation, but God will one day wipe every tear from our eyes, and reward His people for their dedicated service.

The prophet Isaiah recorded, Christ will soon comfort all who mourn, and give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, and establish God’s people as trees of righteousness. A tree, firmly rooted in good ground, is not easily moved, and brings forth good fruit. In the same sense, the body of Christ will be planted of the Lord, so that He might be glorified, through their good works.

Suffering is an occasional topic in my daily writings, because many are experiencing hard times, so I try to offer words of encouragement, to keep readers strong, and striving toward God’s expected end. While the world may despise, and call you names other than a child of God, when all this is over, the Father will call you His own, and tell you, “well done “.

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

Ell

No room for pride

Ephesians 4:1-8, 11-16

As I often write concerning the importance of unity amongst the body of believers, I find it necessary to always reference the similarities of the human body as well. Every part of the physical body, from the smallest detail, to the most prominent, is important. Without feet, the body would experience great difficulty moving from place to place. Without hands and arms, we would have issues working diligently to earn our keep. Our eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, were all uniquely designed to make God’s most wonderful creation a masterpiece! Even eyelashes were designed to protect the eyes from small particles such as dust, sand, or debris from entering and harming the eye. Contrary to the belief of evolutionists, every part of the human body, was, and is necessary, in order to perform as God designed it to.

The church of the living God, consists of one body with many members, that operate under the leading of one Spirit. Every person born again into the body of Christ, is important. It matters not one’s age, ethnicity, our background, because when a person gives their heart to God, they instantly become a shining light in Christ’s body.

When we become followers of God, He bestows gifts to us, that we are expected to make wise use of, as we edify each other, and build up His kingdom. Although gifts vary in their operation, all are intended to be used solely for the purposes of godliness. God is wise beyond any imagination of man, and He desires that we grow in wisdom as well. He also gave some certain positions, from which the body could be perfected, and the work of ministry increased.

The purpose of church meetings, Bible study, and all the things men do to promote the Gospel is, to help believers reach a level of maturity, where they grow to the point where men can’t deceive them with “every wind of doctrine”. This is why unity is so vital, and the church should always be on one accord in their beliefs. In the same way we feed our natural bodies, and exercise to develop strong muscles, we are to also build our spiritual muscles as well, by meditating on God’s Word, praying without ceasing, and taking time to fast, so that we can tune out our natural desires, and focus solely on spiritual ones.

Each member of the body of Christ, must take pride in what God has called them to do. Whether you were called to teach, preach, or simply be a supporter of a ministry, “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (vs. 1). Walk in humility, and learn to appreciate the diversity of God’s gifts in others, so that you’ll never get jealous, or grow envious of how God works through your brothers and sisters. You are special to God, and unique in your own way, so learn to love yourself, and who God made you to be, and continue maturing in all things that are pleasing to the Father.

Walk in love,

Ell

Believers are blessed

Galatians 3:6-9

Belief in God, and the words written in Scripture, allows for one to be justified, so long as that belief is coupled with faith, and good works. Belief in God alone doesn’t bring justification, because even devils believe there is one God, and even tremble at the fact, yet they lack the faith necessary to be counted as righteous unto God. God knows the hearts of men, and whether or not they’ll allow what they believe to push them to go after righteousness.

Abraham believed God, and his belief was accounted to, or equivalent to righteousness. Not only did Abraham believe in God, but his obedience to God’s words validated his confession. Nothing has changed from the days of Abraham, until now, in reference to faith, belief, and justification, so all who believe in the God of Abraham, and have faith in His Word, are also justified, and counted as righteous. We are living in a time where those who are the righteousness of God, fail to see their true value, because of the many distractions in this life, but believers are indeed blessed, despite what circumstances they experience. Unfortunately, many focus more on man’s opinion of who they are, rather than God’s. Although ungodly men can, at times, do good things, they’ll eventually care more for themselves in the end.

God made everyone special, but those who dedicate their lives to Him, will experience life in ways they could never imagine! Throughout Scripture, you’ll discover countless men and women who’s lives were lived to the fullest, simply by staying true to God. A few include Abraham, Esther, Job, king David, the twelve disciples, and many others. Look at your life for a moment, and consider how blessed you really are, since giving your heart to God. You may not be rich, or famous, but in the eyes of God you are wonderful!

Walk in love,

Ell

The Nazarite vow

Numbers 6:1-5, 13-15

Marriage vows spoken publicly between a man and woman, are strict, yet necessary terms that represent the promises each partner is willing to keep, as they pursue a fruitful and lasting relationship. While some couples choose to write their own personal vows, and others prefer to recite the traditional marriage vows, each promise is expected to be fulfilled, once the ceremony is sealed and completed with a kiss (and marriage licenses are valid). The husband is to keep God first, and remain faithful to his wife, while not allow distractions from disrespectful women to draw his attention away from the woman he promised to love without conditions. The wife is also required to keep God first, and be faithful, while making sure that all of her attention is directed toward her husband, and not the immature men on her job who constantly make passes at her. Both the husband and wife are to care for each other in sickness, and in health. Whatever vow they committed to, couples will see a successful end, if only they take serious the promises they made to each other at their wedding ceremony.

During the days of Moses, men and women had the opportunity to commit to the Nazarite vow. This vow required an individual to separate themselves to render special services unto the Lord. I added the “special services” part (it’s not mentioned in Scripture per se) because God never allows anyone to sacrifice for Him, and He not do something great through them (Samson, for example). Separating themselves unto the Lord, also required the volunteer to separate himself/herself from wine and strong drink, vinegar of wine or strong drink, liquor of grapes, ripe grapes, dried grapes, and anything made from the vine, from the kernels to the husk. That’s an interesting list of things to give up when vowing the Nazarite vow, because I grew up eating raisins, and they can become an addiction. In addition to not drinking from the vine, the hair of those who willingly chose to make this vow was never to be cut, “until the days be fulfilled, in which he separateth himself unto the Lord”. In the Jewish culture, an abundance of hair was considered a mark of physical strength and perfection, and baldness was considered imperfection. Growing their hair out in long lengths, the Nazarites represented the dedication of a person with their whole strength and powers focused on God’s service. The most important promise of this vow was that the man or woman remain holy all the days which they were separated unto the Lord. It’s obvious that while God was using the Nazarite for His purpose and will, He didn’t want them to come into contact with anything that would cause them to not be sober, and have a sound mind. He demanded their full attention while they fulfilled whatever assignment He tasked them with.

While you may not be a Nazarite, I’m certain you’ve made promises to God in your lifetime. Have you kept all of them? Do you even remember them? Whatever the case, as a believer, you chose to separate yourself from the world, and the things that cause you to sin. Stay faithful and true to keeping your promises to God, and He’ll stay faithful to blessing you accordingly.

Walk in love,

Ell