The Untamed Member

James 3:1-12

When God created man, He made him with very unique attributes and abilities, no other created being has. Of those unique abilities, man has been able to tame every kind of beast, bird, serpent, and things in the deep blue sea. Consider how great and massive some of the animals are on land, and in the oceans, and how incredible it is for man, in his stature, to tame something more massive than himself.

Man in his wisdom, has the ability to manipulate and control animals, and even influence them to do as he commands, but with all his wisdom, knowledge, and power of influence over birds and beasts, man lacks the ability to tame his own tongue. Yes, that little “pink tornado”, is capable of stirring up all manner of trouble. Lions, tigers, bears, and whales are all more massive than man, yet he is able to tame them, but that little member, nestled in his mouth, boasts great things, kindles fires, and is a world of iniquity.

Those who bear the name of Christ, have the responsibility of using the tongue to bless God, and hold only good conversations. The words that proceed from the mouths of the Saints, should only offer strength, encouragement, and edification to all who would hear them. God shuns those who maintain improper use of the tongue, while defiling themselves with ungodly conversations. There are some who seemingly bless God one minute, then curse their brother twenty minutes later. This ought not be the case among those who are born-again believers. Can you find apples hanging from an orange tree, or pick grapes from a tomato vine? I highly doubt you will, and you should not hear ungodly speech coming from the mouths of godly people. On human strength alone, the tongue cannot be tamed, but when a vessel is under the influence of the Holy Ghost, the tongue will be restricted to speak those things that are pleasing to the Father.

If you ever find yourself holding conversations that aren’t true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, check to see whether or not you’ve strayed away from the Spirit. Only in God, do we have the power to overcome our flesh, and walk after the Spirit. The tongue indeed, is little member, but if left uncontrolled, it can set the whole world on fire!

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

With One Accord

Acts 2:1-12

One of the most iconic moments in Bible history was, the day of Pentecost, recorded in the book of Acts. When the day of Pentecost was “fully come”, this was referencing the fiftieth day from the waving of the sheaf of the first-fruits. According to the book of Leviticus, Pentecost was one of the original eight feasts of the Lord, or holy convocations, which were to be proclaimed in their appropriate season. God appointed times for His people to gather and offer sacrifices and praises for all that He had done for them. This was important to keep the minds of the people focused on the source of their peace, prosperity, and protection.

Our text picks up a short while after the first business meeting of the church, and the election of the replacement disciple (Matthias). During this gathering of about 120 men, the Bible mentions all these men were in one place, and with one accord. In other words, none of the men gathered were lukewarm, shady, doubtful, unconcerned, nor uninterested in God’s affairs. Instead, they were all united in faith, love, and prayer. Can you pause for a moment, and imagine if this was the state of the church today. If every man and woman, who gathers together in the name of the Lord, were always sharing the same mind, will, and motivations, how do you think the earth would look today? Well, we have an absolutely amazing experience that takes place in the verses of our text.

Being of the same mind, and gathered together in unity, provoked the almighty God, to literally invade the space where the men were, and fill them with His Spirit, while unlocking the ability for them to speak a language they never spoke. This was done, so that all the nations of the earth that would also come to witness God’s power, could be ministered to in their native tongue. God knew, many would come together to join the ever-growing church, so He (in His infinite wisdom), was fully aware that those whom He called, needed to capable of reaching all who would show up. Unlike men, who think mostly in “the now”, God sees the end of a thing, and knows how to prepare His people to handle it, before it manifests.

Although the modern church seems to have lost its once renowned potency and effectiveness in the earth, the power of God is still readily available, to invade the lives of those who will gather together in one mind, one heart, and one Spirit. Never underestimate the power of unity, because doing so could prohibit you from reaching your full potential in God.

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

Handle With Care

James 2:1-7

When handling something precious and valuable, it’s often advised to treat it with care, and avoid mishandling it, as to respect what it is truly worth. This holds true not only in material things, but also in the realm of the spirit. True value in the life of the believer is made manifest through Christ, and the faith that we have in Him, should be shown to all men equally, and without partiality. For God so loved the “WORLD”, that He gave…, and those who follow after Him, should be willing to treat all men the same, despite their differences.

While it’s obvious the world won’t see things the way the church does, we must still treat them the way we desire to be treated. As for members of the body interacting with each other, the love of Christ should abound in every point of contact. Whether someone was blessed with much, or very little, dissention should never rear its ugly head amongst those who are in the faith. The church should always remain in perfect unity and harmony, so that the Gospel that was preached thousands of years ago, can still be seen, heard, and believed today. Men and women literally died, so that the Word of God could be passed down to our generation, so take pride in knowing that someone who never knew you, cared enough to save you.

Let these words keep you humble, as you show real love to those striving daily, just like you.

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

Ell

Don’t Hate, Love

Leviticus 19:13-18

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man… (Matthew 7:21-24a). These were words spoken by Jesus, to teach His followers the importance bringing forth good fruit, for the purpose of edifying God’s kingdom. While some willingly humble themselves, to allow all glory to go to God, others seek vain glory for themselves, and do works to promote their own agendas.

God is all about teamwork, and shuns selfishness and pride. He desires that those who claim His name, not only focus on trying to accomplish major feats in the earth, but place more emphasis on fine tuning the small things. Some of which include loving our neighbors as we love ourselves, being fair in judgment, and paying those you owe on time, and not withholding what’s owed to those who have completed work for you. A few more of those small things God pays close attention to are respecting all men the same, whether they be deaf or blind, poor or rich, keeping the business of others out of your mouth (gossiping), and choosing to love your fellow brethren, rather than hate them, no matter the circumstances.

The church today, should look completely different from the world. Where there’s bickering and arguing amongst the world, love and peace should be found in the church. When the world slander, gossip, and tear down each other’s names, the body of believers should only be heard building, edifying, and lifting each other up.

We are to be the light, salt, and difference in the earth, so that those who are seeking a better way, can be positively influenced from our example. Prove your love to God by being a better you, every day, and let your love for others mirror the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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

Ell

What About The Children?

Luke 11:9-13

If you’re a parent, and your child asked for something to eat, would you give them a bowl of rocks? Any sound-minded father or mother would respond to that question with an absolute NO! How could any parent refuse to give their little one the things they have need of? In my most honest opinion, it’s borderline criminal for anyone to see a child in need, and refuse to help, especially if they have more than enough to supply. Children are feeble, and underdeveloped, so ensuring they are well-fed, and properly cared for should be top priority on every mom and dad’s to-do list.

Taking care of those you love should feel more like an opportunity to bless and provide, rather than a hard task or duty. When God blesses His children, He always does it out of love, and what He gives is best for their lives. God knows what His children have need of before they even ask or think it, and He’s built a reputation for giving His people what they need, more than what they ask for amiss. God is a great Father, and always provides the best for His children, and He desires that we do the same for ours. Learn to love your children the way God loves you, and always be ready and willing to give them what they need, so that they’ll be able to grow and develop healthy, in a natural and spiritual way.

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

Ell

The Invisible Man

John: 14:15-17

In this life of inevitable suffering, there’s one thing no man will ever willingly pass up, and that’s comfort. On a daily basis, we see people struggling from challenging circumstances, that most seem to never recover from. Not only do worldly men suffer but, believers experience uncomfortable situations, many of which are not the cause of their own doing, but they struggle to overcome them nonetheless. During childhood, some of us have been forced to deal with lack of provisions like food and clothing, and possibly being embarrassed by those who judged us by our outer appearance. As we grew older, the real challenges of life begin to manifest in the forms of dealing with the education system on the collegiate level, finding a job, dealing with unruly leadership or subordinates, and the struggles of raising a family based on godly principles. All men are positioned to face certain discomfort in this life, but for those who love God and abide by His Word, there’s an invisible man who provides comfort in all uncomfortable circumstances.

Jesus was fully aware of the state that this world would eventually become, so He prayed to the Father, so that He would send us help to endure these end-times. Without the Holy Ghost, many would have given up years ago, but because we have that divine comfort, we can make it through trials and situations that oftentimes cause men to wonder. The world can never understand, nor receive the Spirit of God, because they can’t see Him. Carnal men usually have to see something, in order to give it relevance. But, the Comforter is as real as life itself, and He guides the children of God throughout each day, encouraging them to strive to please God, because their labor is never in vain.

In those moments when you feel sad and alone, the invisible man is there to remind you, you’re never alone. When you’ve lost all hope, and are tempted to throw in the towel, the invisible man will remind you of how strong you really are, and can overcome all things, through Christ who gives you strength. When you are about to give up on love, and refuse to trust in relationship anymore, the Comforter will guide you through the Scriptures, of all who have suffered greatly, yet never gave up on love. Always be reminded, the invisible man is there, to bring you comfort, in all uncomfortable situations.

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

Ell

Absolute Authority

John 5:19-24

After studying this lesson, it brought my mind back to a time when I was a young lad, nearing the end of the third grade school year. I wasn’t the smartest in the class, but I had earned the teachers respect by maintaining perfect attendance, behaving respectfully toward my classmates, and always making the honor roll. You can tell just by those merits, haters were gonna hate, but my parents raised their children to be respectful, and to take schooling serious. So, I did, and my scholarly conduct earned me a few extra perks with my teacher. One day during class, my teacher had to leave the room for something important, and left me in charge to monitor my classmates until she returned. Boy, why did she do that? Knowing I would report those who acted out of character in the teacher’s absence, there were some who deliberately acted a fool, just to get under my skin. What my fellow law breaking students failed to realize was, whatever I reported to the teacher, would be taken as if she had witnessed things with her own eyes. My words, would in essence be her words, and my judgments the same. Despite how anyone else felt about the teacher’s delegation, or that we were all the same age, my words were the authority in that classroom, until our teacher returned.

This flashback is kinda on par with the lesson’s text. God the Father, is the omnipotent, and sovereign ruler of all creation. He alone has the power to do as it pleases Himself. But in the earth, the Father left all judgment to the Son, and by this delegation, all men should honor the Son, just as they would the Father. So those who dishonor Jesus, are literally dishonoring God the Father also. Jesus, the Son, does the same works as the the Father. In addition, He has absolute and unlimited power and authority from God, to do as God directs Him. Just as my classmates were under the authority of our teacher, on behalf of little ole’ me, all men are to reverence Jesus, the Savior of the world, in the same way they honor and respect the God of all creation.

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

Ell

Keep On Teaching

Mark 6:1-6

I wrote a blog nearly a year ago concerning the dangers of familiarity, and how many people have misjudged, and dishonored some whom they should have given more respect to. For example, growing up with siblings who eventually become famous, doesn’t change the fact that they are still your brother or sister. Therefore, you wouldn’t see them as the world would, and probably could care less about their fame. On the other hand, those who only know of famous people from listening to their music, or watching them on the big screen, tend to have a greater appreciation for their work.

After hearing about all the incredible miracles Jesus had performed outside of His hometown, from casting demons out of some, to raising others from the dead, it’s sad to know that those in His own community refused to accept the fact that He indeed was the Son of God. The text mentions, “And he marvelled because of their unbelief” (vs. 6a). After touring many different lands, spreading the goodness of His Father, Jesus no doubt expected to return home with a more appreciative welcome. Those He blessed while He journeyed through various lands were extremely grateful for the love Jesus had freely shown to them, but those in His own country could do no more than criticize, and doubt who He really was. This was so disheartening to point that Jesus could do no mighty works there, except lay His hands on a few sick folk, and heal them. Although the people in His town proved to be unthankful, Jesus made certain to not allow the people’s unbelief, keep Him from teaching.

While we live to please God, we’ll also experience doubt and unbelief from those we assume have our best interests at heart. But, after overcoming the hurt and pain of those you thought would support you, don’t allow their unbelief to keep you from spreading the goodness of the Gospel.

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

Ell

Mindless Paparazzi

Mark 7:1-8

When people deliberately go out of their way to get on your nerves, how do you respond to them? When some of those same people join themselves with others who have nothing better to do than disturb your day, and make attempts to find fault in your life, when their own lives are torn up from the floor up, what method works best to get them to think twice about approaching you ever again? What do you do, when the people who seek to bring you down, confess to be followers of Christ? Believe it or not, Jesus dealt with these same issues more often than He would have liked to, but the way He handled His haters were always priceless moments.

I love Jesus so much! He always knew the perfect words to say to those who often made attempts to set Him up for failure. The scribes and Pharisees would usually follow Jesus and His disciples, in the same way the paparazzi hover around celebrities today. Rather than commit their hearts solely to obeying the commandments of God, they took more delight in holding the traditions of men. Thus, their worship to God was in vain, because their hearts were set on keeping to traditions, instead of sincere worship and obedience to God’s commands.

In our text, the Pharisees were so concerned about the disciples washing their hands before eating, that they failed to see how dirty their own hearts were toward the ways of godliness. Jesus confronted the pesky men with Scriptures, to counter their failed attempt to ensnare Him in their futile trap.

The Word of God is the best defense, against any trick or trap the enemy sets against us. The next time someone boldly accuses you of not following a tradition that means nothing to God, slap them with a few verses of Scripture, showing them that their souls are more important than dove-washed hands, and febreeze fragranced clothing.

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

Ell