Get To Work

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Often, we are so concerned about what we could be doing for God somewhere else, we miss great opportunities right where we are. Paul said, when someone becomes a Christian, he should usually continue with the work he has previously been doing – provided it isn’t immoral or unethical. Every job can become Christian work when you realize, the purpose of your life is to honor, serve, and speak out for Christ. God has purposely placed you where you are, so look carefully for opportunities to serve him there.

-Life Application Study Bible (pg. 2007)

Just A Touch

Luke 8:42-48

Have you ever struggled, dealing with a physical or mental condition for about a week or two? I can only imagine, whatever it was you dealt with brought only misery and headaches, while you prayed fervently for God to relieve you of your condition, and bring healing to your body, and peace to your mind. The moment your issue was fully removed, I’m apt to believe you felt a sense of joy, the likes of which you haven’t felt in a long time. Now, take a moment to revisit that temporary condition, and imagine suffering with it for 12 years! Yeah, 12 looooooong years. This was the case with the woman in our text.

For 12 years, the Bible mentions this woman had an issue of blood, that could not be resolved by conventional means. After spending all her money on medical treatments with multiple physicians, the woman’s condition only grew worse! I can’t even begin to fathom how this woman felt, while going through a seemingly endless season of suffering. After placing all her trust in those who were trained to study and understand the human body, the woman’s faith in physicians had no doubt run out.

One day, the woman who had a suffered a physical ailment for over 4,000 days, heard about Jesus. The Scriptures aren’t descriptive on what she heard, or who she heard it from, but whatever she was told, was enough to move her to seek this Jesus.

Jesus had just returned from casting a legion of devils from a man on the other side of the sea, and was greeted by a great crowd of people, who were awaiting His return. As the crowd continued to swell around Jesus, the woman with the issue of blood arrived, then pressed her way through to get to Jesus. She said, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” That’s what you call faith in action. The woman had no other options to turn to, because everyone and everything she tried failed. But, the instant she touched the border of Jesus’ garment, the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Twelve dreadful years of excruciating pain and suffering, was gone in an instant! Not only was the woman astonished, but the Son of God literally felt virtue leave His body, after the woman’s touch. It was the woman’s faith that made her whole, and Jesus was pleased to see another body and soul healed by the power of God.

While we may not have a similar condition as the woman in our lesson, we too struggle with other things that seem to weigh us down. The power of God is still relevant today, as it was during the time when Jesus walked the earth, but the key to overcoming our struggles is, placing all our faith, trust, and confidence in the power of God, knowing that He alone can deliver us, and free us from all that we may experience in our earthly bodies.

Play It Again

Psalm 119:97-104

When I hear a song, or watch a movie I really like, I can play either on repeat for weeks, or even months, and not get bored. Knowing every word to the song, or all the lines of each character from a movie, I’ll still find great pleasure from enjoying them, no matter how many times they are played. Call me crazy, or even insane, but when I really like something, it brings me joy everytime I’m entertained by it.

A thought crossed my mind the other day, about how many people literally get bored from reading the pages of Scripture. I can admit, when I began to study the Word of God in my early years, I didn’t find it to be as pleasurable as some portrayed it to be. I would often fall asleep, if I read more than two chapters of a book, because I would lose interest, and prefer to watch the game on ESPN. But, as I matured in godliness, and actually tasted God’s Word, I discovered that it’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted in my life!

The Word of God is rich in knowledge, and instruction on how to carry oneself as a child of God, so when I read the Bible nowadays, I hate to put it down, because God continues to reveal things in familiar passages, I had not noticed times before. Even if I’m watching a YouTube sermon from one of my favorite teachers, I can watch and rewatch their videos over and over, while still gleaning from their words of wisdom and inspiration.

It’s obvious to me now, that the more of God we have in us, the less space the world can occupy in our hearts and minds. When we love God more than anything else, we’ll even refrain from taking sides with evil men, because our godly understanding will help us discern what’s good for us, and what we are to separate ourselves from. Taste and see for yourself, that God’s Word is worth more than anything!

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

Ell

How Bad Do You Want It?

Proverbs 2:1-11

When we desire something, like we really really want it, we’ll go through great lengths to obtain it. A man who yearns to be with a specific woman, will do all he can to study her, so that he can do all the things she likes, in hopes of winning her favor. Men have been known for buying women cars, expensive clothing, and even jewelry, hoping they’ll eventually fall for them. Real women desire things that are more fulfilling, rather than material things, but men still try nonetheless. Another example is, how college scouts go over and beyond, to try and convince high school student-athletes to enroll in their school, and athletic program. They sacrifice time and money, to schedule visits to meet and greet with the child, and their family. Some have even been fined and put in jail, from taking risks like buying homes and cars, in order to convince the family that their university is worth attending. People have done strange things, to prove that what they desire, is worth fighting for. Unfortunately, most of those things offered little to no eternal value. If men sought diligently to learn the knowledge of God, more than they do worldly things, their lives would produce entirely different outcomes.

Many who claim to be Christians, struggle with understanding their purpose in life. One reason this happens is, they neglect to handle the first steps in growing, and maturing in God. The Bible teaches that we are to incline our ears unto wisdom, hide the commandments of God in our hearts, and seek after knowledge and understanding wholeheartedly. When it comes to understanding things like the stock market, politics, and other worldly interests, men go all out to understand all the juicy details, so they can gain an advantage in obtaining benefits for themselves. But, when it comes to pondering through verses of scripture, to gain a better understanding of what God expects from us, we automatically become lax, and prefer to hear sermons from televangelists, or YouTube. Why is it, when some people read the Bible, they always get sleepy? Hmm… in any case, it’s imperative that we obtain, and utilize the wisdom God gives, so that our souls can be kept, and our bodies preserved.

Do you desire God enough to spend at least an hour per day, meditating on His Word? If not, what is currently taking the place of the time God deserves? Always remember, only what you do for Christ, can impact your eternity in a positive way, but lacking a desire to grow in godliness, proves that the love you should have for God, is being invested in something else.

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

Ell

Walk by the Word and prosper

Psalm 1

How happy is the man who lives his life as God intended from the beginning, who refuses to accept and go along with the advice of godless people, stand in agreement with those who regularly practice sinful activities, and dwell in the assemblies of men who boast and speak arrogantly to others. Such a man is able to walk consistently in godliness because he takes delight in reading, studying, and cross-referencing God’s Word every single day of his life. Just as it’s possible for men to watch TV, read a book or magazine, or enjoy the radio, scheduling time daily to read the Bible is not a hard task. One must only commit to studying the Word, and stick to it. I’ve known many who’ve binge watched godless TV shows for weeks. Imagine how much better a man or woman could have become, if they spent hundreds of hours studying Scripture, rather than being entertained by ungodly media.

The righteous man who makes God’s business his first priority benefits greatly from doing so. Just like a tree that’s planted near a river, and receives ample amounts of water to provide for its health, and consistent fruit, the man who walks by the Word of God will also be cultivated, and well-watered, so that he can maintain good spiritual health, and produce much good fruit. Not only will this man prosper spiritually, but everything he does in his life, including material, will prosper as well. Material prosperity is as much the will of God as soul, body, and health.

When we take care of God’s business, He’ll in turn, take care of ours, but this benefit can’t be enjoyed by those who walk in darkness, and refuse to obey the will of God. Unlike the righteous man who’s roots are firmly planted in the Word of God, and receive proper spiritual nourishment to bring forth good fruit, the ungodly are comparable to chaff, or the husks of corn or other seed separated by the process of winnowing or threshing. Chaff is considered worthless, and is driven away by the winds. That’s just how some are today, who follow after all forms of false doctrine. Anything that sounds good, they flock to, without learning the true nature of the teachings. There are men who purposely lie in wait to ensnare and carry away innocent souls with their hollow doctrine, but being rooted in the Word will prevent any of God’s children from being tossed to and fro by men’s false teachings.

The end of life for the ungodly is far from pleasant, and can be avoided. Unfortunately, many have been deceived by satan, and are unable to see the truth in God’s Word. As the righteousness of God, we, His children, are to let our lights shine before men, and when they see our good works, they’ll give God the glory, because we won’t take any credit for the great things He’s soon to do in our lives.

Walk in love,

Ell

Blind guides confuse meaning of oaths

Matthew 23:16-22

When teaching others anything, it’s highly recommended that you know, in-depth, the topic you’re attempting to teach first. If I’ve never driven a car before, but I offer to teach someone else proper driving techniques, I’m almost certain anyone can assume how that first driving lesson will turn out.

When you lack the knowledge of a specific thing, sharing false information can mislead others, and cause them to become just as blind as you are. It’s one thing to be careless in your own endeavors, but pouring inaccurate information into the minds of others is dangerous.

We continue our studies in the book of Matthew where Jesus was coming down hard on the scribes and Pharisees. In this text, Jesus brought the hammer down on those who made false vows. The Pharisees stood firm on the belief that they were not responsible to pay vows sworn by the temple or the altar. To swear was simply to make a promise with an oath. They not only believed, but also taught these falsehoods to others.

But Jesus said that all vows were to be paid and that the temple was greater than part of its own material, and the altar was greater than the gifts laid upon it. The Pharisees were causing people to focus their attention on the material, and not the spiritual. God cares little about things, but lots for your soul. We bring gifts to God to show reverence and appreciation for who He is, but He doesn’t receive them until our hearts are first pure.

Many false teachers preach the “prosperity gospel” and blindly lead many into thinking that God will bless them, but not until they give. That’s total bologna! If God only blessed us after we gave an offering, then those who are poor, impoverished, and broke are well on their way to seasons of nothingness.

To all those who are in leadership positions, I urge you to study to show yourselves approved to God first, then share His goodness with others.

Seek peace,

Ell