Tag: Strength

Make It Rain

1 Kings 18

Many days had passed from the time God sent the prophet Elijah to confront the evil king Ahab, until He was ready to reveal His omnipotence to the nation that had turned against Him. During these times, a severe famine overtook Samaria, but the king and those he ruled were still unconvinced of the sovereignty of the true and living God. After an eventful three years of miraculous signs and provision, God spoke to the prophet Elijah, and instructed him to return to the king with another important message. The Lord said to Elijah, “Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” Could you imagine not having rain for three years? Without rainfall on the earth, there would be catastrophic damage all over the world. But, God allows things to happen so others can witness for themselves, all power belongs to Him, and He alone is deserving of worship, honor, and glory. Unfortunately, men are too consumed in their own beliefs, that they totally disregard the obvious workings of the living God, in favor of their futile idolatry.

As you read further into chapter 18, you’ll discover the very unique and elaborate plan God commanded Elijah to follow, which revealed the falsehoods and foolishness of Baal worship, and brought to light the mighty power of the God of Heaven and earth. 450 prophets who worshiped Baal were left without an answer from their “god of rain and plenty”, yet they witnessed the power of the true God with their own eyes.

Nothing compares to the power of the almighty God. Men and women are drawn away daily into deception, and allow falsehoods to overtake their sensibility, but every idol worshipped by men, has no power to do anything, except distract them from the truth. Have you pledged your allegiance to serve weak and powerless idols, or are you aligned with the God who created all things?

Against All Odds, Be Bold!

Acts 4:23-31

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Against All Odds, Be Bold!” Starring, Peter, John, the Crippled Beggar, and the Priests and Sadduces. I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Crippled Beggar sits outside the gate called Beautiful, asking for alms)

Crippled Beggar: Pardon me madam, but can you spare a little change… excuse me sir, I am in need, can you… sigh…

(Men pass by the crippled beggar, ignoring his cries for help, but Peter and John now approach)

Crippled Beggar: Excuse me kind sirs, but please, can you help me with a little something… to get food. I don’t ask for much, but please…I am in desperate need.

Peter: Look at us.

(The crippled beggar fastening his eyes on them, expecting to finally receive alms)

Peter: Unfortunately, I don’t have any change to spare, but what I do have, I’ll give to you without hesitation.

(The crippled beggar looks with a gaze of confusion)

Peter: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

(Peter reaches to grab the man’s hand, and pulls him up. Immediately, his feet and ankle bones received strength. He jumps up and follows them into the temple, praising God.)

*This miraculous act caught the attention of nearly 5,000 men, many of which knew the man had been lame since birth. Peter wisely took advantage of the opportunity, to preach the Gospel.

Peter: Why do you men look so amazed, as if we did this of our own power? This man was healed by faith in the name of Jesus, who you all delivered up to Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But, your ignorance was all a part of God’s divine plan for man’s redemption.

(While he continued to preach, the priests, captain of the temple, and Sadducees came in to see what was going on.)

Priests and Sadducees: Alright, enough of this, bind these men, and take them in hold! It’s already late, so keep them there until tomorrow.

(The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, so they were no doubt more disturbed of all those who weren’t in favor of the disciples’ message.)

*No matter how hard the enemy tries to hinder the Gospel, it is still powerful enough to change lives. Many of the 5,000 men who heard Peter’s words, believed in them. All your labor in the works of the Lord, are not in vain. When men attempt to silence you for doing good, keep going… don’t stop… don’t give up.

High Priest Committee: “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”

Peter: (being filled with the Holy Ghost) “…by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom he crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”

*Sometimes, a Christian can be intimidated when evil men come together against them, but despite the number of those opposed to your beliefs, trust that God alone is powerful enough to outnumber, and overcome any group of wicked men who desire to hurt or harm your bold faith in God.

(“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”)

High Priest Committee: Give us a moment to talk things over. (Whispering among themselves) What should we do to these men? It’s obvious that a miracle has taken place, and everyone has witnessed it, and we cannot deny it. Let’s threaten them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, so the people won’t be convinced to believe in Him.

High Priest Committee: Hey, you men come over here. Listen, it’s cool what you guys did for the lame man and all, but we command you not to speak at all, or teach in the name of Jesus.

Peter and John: Whether you think our action was right or wrong, that’s on you guys, but we can only speak the things which we have seen and heard.

*Peter and John would not bend, no matter how much pressure was applied to them by the high priests.

(“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.”)

(After being released, Peter and John returned to their own company of believers, and shared their experience. They then prayed so intense, that the place they inhabited was shaken, and all were filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.)

*There will be moments in our lives when we be afraid to share our faith in God, because people will make us uncomfortable and try to stop us. But like Peter and John, we must maintain our zeal for the Lord, and boldly confess Jesus before men, and He will confess us before the Father.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Against All Odds, Be Bold”! Thanks for tuning in.

Jesus Knows…

John 13:1-15, 34-35

Jesus knew, the world His father created would someday change into something detestable, and full of evil, yet He chose to come down from Heaven to save it regardless. Jesus knew, Adam and Eve would submit themselves to satan’s temptation, but He had His mind set on repairing the mistake no man could fix. Jesus knew, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, and all the other great men in Scripture, would have their faults and flaws, yet He would still be implanted in that royal and prestigious bloodline. Jesus knew, the children of Israel would bounce back and forth between obeying the voice of the Father, and entertaining idolatry, but His love for the people never wavered.

Jesus knew, the prophets spoke true of what was to come after His appearing, and He was certain to prove that all of their words were valid (some are yet to be fulfilled). Jesus knew, the men He gathered to be His disciples, wouldn’t be known for their honor, stature, or intellect, yet He chose them anyway, to prove that all can have a place in His great kingdom. Jesus knew, Judas, His hand-picked disciple, would never truly surrender himself to the will of God, but He NEVER treated him differently, but showed the same love and respect He gave to all His followers. Jesus knew, He would suffer a severe and unprecedented beating by the Romans, who had literally no limits to their methods of torture, but He was given strength by the Heavenly host, to endure it for the sake of all mankind.

Jesus knew, dying, suffering, bleeding, and hurting immensely, was necessary, because our lives are just that precious to Him. Jesus knew, you and I would make mistakes in life, some of which will linger and cause us to live in regret, yet His death allowed for all our sins, past, present, and future to be forgiven (this is no excuse to abuse His grace by willfully practicing sin). Jesus knew, satan would try hard to influence the children of God to follow after evil, so He prayed to the Father to send another Comforter, to aid us during our daily walk.

Strive to build a greater love and appreciation for God, for sending His Son to save us, and reunite us with Himself, because He has prepared many great things for those who love Him. Never allow a day to pass, without giving thanks to God, and let the world see that you truly love Him, by the way you show love to one another.

“The enemy uses our dirt to shame and manipulate us. God uses it to harden our foundation and strengthen our faith in Him.” – Ell

“I Surrender All”

Mark 12:28-34

The first of all the commandments requires total surrender of all aspects of man, to the supremacy and sovereignty of the almighty God. When asked by a scribe, “Which is the first commandment of all?”, Jesus plainly stated, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:” (vs. 30). If a man did just what Jesus mentioned, there would be little, to no room for that man to error, or turn away from God.

There are many who pour all their strength into their jobs or careers, so much until they have little energy to bathe and eat when they get home (maybe I’m included in that bunch, or maybe not…I won’t tell). There are also people who devote their minds to science and research, that takes hours upon hours of their lives away, as they barely even scratch the surface of what they aim to discover. Then, there are those who literally give their souls to a mate, and can do nothing else, except daydream about that person, night and day. The last group of individuals can be found devoting their hearts to special causes and charities, so much that they desire only to meet the needs of those things they support, while neglecting to allocate time for other important things.

Could you imagine, if the church as a whole, loved the Lord with ALL their heart, soul, mind, and strength? What would the body of Christ look like today, if all members were totally committed to kingdom business? What if all preachers preached the unadulterated proclamations of Scripture, without defiling it to please itching ears? What if teachers taught the words of Jesus, so that men could gain a better understanding of their purpose in the earth? What if gossip, lying, cheating, and all other wicked vices were non-existent among those who claim to be followers of Christ? If all God’s people truly obeyed the first of all the commandments, then I’m apt to believe many who are lost today, would surrender their lives to God, because the church would have a much greater impact in the earth, if all members were totally in love with Lord.

It’s okay to ask God for what you want, but don’t be surprised when He gives you what you need.” – Ell

I Swear!

Matthew 5:33-37

Growing up in my neighborhood, when disputes broke out between the fellas, to convince someone that they were serious about the point they were attempting to make, they would say things like, “I swear before God”, or “I put my mother on it!” These phrases were used as a means to express the seriousness one felt, concerning their stance on the matter at hand.

Swearing wasn’t something that started in the 80’s, but was a way by which men made oaths, even during Bible days. According to biblical definitions, to swear is to affirm, promise, or threaten with an oath. Making vows, or promises are taken serious by God, and should not be done with false intentions. In our text, Matthew acknowledged Jesus’ words on how the ole’ school men of their day, would often perform oaths to the Lord, many of which they failed to keep. But, Jesus recommended that all men refrain from swearing altogether; whether it be by heaven, earth, or the holy city of Jerusalem.

God prefers that we prove what we believe about Him through our works, and not our words. Oftentimes, we speak more idle words, while doing little to back them up. To those who are in the body of Christ, keep all communication holy, acceptable to God, and to the point.

The apostle Paul taught his spiritual son Timothy, “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness”. The more we speak words that are unprofitable for our spiritual growth and development, the more we’ll increase our chance to make mistakes. Keep yourselves aligned with the will of God, and keep your conversations pure, so that the words of Scripture can flow freely from your lips, and save those who are lost.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

Bold And Brave

Isaiah 50:4-11

Earlier this morning, I received a call from one of my favorite cousins, who was weary and distraught, concerning the way evil men appear to be living far better than those who strive to live right, and how they seem to be escaping the judgment they deserve, for their consistent disobedient behavior. Hearing her express those thoughts touched my heart, because her words actually seem truthful. Wicked men and women do seem to have certain advantages in this life, than those who actually deserve better, but I tried hard to help her understand, this present world is temporary, and all those who remain in sin, will surely receive the judgment of God, in due time.

It’s expected for all members of the body of Christ to suffer while doing the works of the Lord, because our Savior, Christ Jesus, set the example we would need to follow, after He ascended back to His Father. The prophet Isaiah was inspired to write how the Son of God would indeed suffer greatly, on behalf of the people of God. Not only did Jesus suffer, but He did it willingly. Can you imagine willingly presenting yourself to men who seek only to see you fall, and do great harm to your physical body? The average person (not fully delivered lol) would be quick to defend themselves against any and all who step to them the wrong way. But, Christians are taught that suffering for Christ’s sake is counted as joy, according to the Bible.

Carnal minded men are unable to see the value in suffering in the name of God, but all will be revealed in that great day. While it does seem that good people only see suffering, and evil ones enjoy good, the real rewards of each person’s labor will be given by God, on the day of judgment.

To all those who may get weary while doing well, strive to keep moving forward, and don’t give up. Yes, this world doesn’t favor those who love God, and sin has caused men to act in ways that are unseemly toward the church, God can still bless us, even during these disheartening times.

Be careful not to judge those who hate and persecute you, but pray for them, and show them that God’s love is way more powerful than their hate. If Jesus didn’t turn His back on God during the most mind-blowing suffering in the history of history, then never allow your struggles and hard times to cause you to turn yours either.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold… don’t become one of them.

Ell

With My Whole Heart

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

When a husband commits to a wife, he is literally committing all of himself, to join in union with the woman he loves. After his decision is made, there’s no room for him to consider, nor desire any other woman, because the one he found, should be all that he needs. When a child commits to a college or university, he or she has decided that all other options did not meet, nor satisfy the expectations they had set. As they matriculate through their years of education, they’ll eventually pledge themselves to the culture and environment of their school, and could possibly be seen sporting their schools athletic jerseys, or license plate covers.

When we commit to something, we literally give it all of us, and our intentions and motivations are usually in support of what we’re committed to. Are you fully committed to God, like for real for real? Does God have the attention of all your heart, all your soul, and all of your strength? When you decided to commit to the Father, did you turn away from everything that’s not conducive to His way of living?

When you choose to be on God’s team, you can’t give in to, nor support anything contrary to His gameplan. God is the creator of everything, so why would anyone choose to reject following after Him? If you’re still riding the fence on serving God and dabbling in things that are unhealthy for your soul, spend more time meditating on the Word, praying without ceasing, and focusing your attention on keeping your commitment to God solid. God is the real deal, and all else can’t compare, so when you give all of yourself to Him, you’ll be making the wisest decision ever.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold… don’t become one of them.

Ell

Peaceful Impression

John 14:25-31

What impression do you leave on others, when you’re absent from their presence? As a child of God, do people recognize you as one who exhibits the character traits Jesus portrayed while He roamed the earth? Since you’ve become engrafted into God’s royal family, have you fully understood what He expects of you? These are questions every person who claims to be filled with God’s Spirit, should easily respond to.

When Jesus left to be with His Father, He knew the church would need much help to withstand the evil days, so rather than leave us to fend for ourselves against the forces of darkness, He prayed to the Father, who then sent the Comforter (Holy Ghost) to be another heavenly representative, to teach us all things, and bring to remembrance, the words of Christ (among many other things).

Before Jesus left the scene, He gave the gift of peace to His disciples. Of all the amazing virtues in Christ’s arsenal, why would peace be favored among them all? Consider the state of the world today. What is most needed besides the obvious (money, food, shelter, healthcare)? You got it! Peace. Despite how many people try to beautify societal constructs, this world is functioning from a chaotic state. Peace is needed all over the world, and in every country, you’ll find similar patterns of wickedness in governments, business, and other means by which the less fortunate are taken advantage of. The law-abiding citizens need peace, in order to maintain stability, amongst corrupt leadership. Peace is needed in our homes, so that fathers and mothers can properly raise their children to love and respect God. Even in homes where the mother or father is absent, more peace is required to keep that single parent strong and determined to keep their family together. Peace is most definitely needed in the hearts of those nearing the edge of their sanity; those who feel that life has dealt them an unfair hand.

As a believer, it’s your duty to strive to live peaceably with all men, knowing that the times are hard, not only on the church, but on the world as well. If we are to win the world to Christ, we must first understand that peace should go before us in all our encounters.

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

Ell