Tag: unity

Reasons To Praise God!

The Psalms

*He is a shield and lifter up of our heads
*Salvaion belongs to the Lord
*He takes no pleasure in wickedness
*There is no evil dwelling with Him
*He is a Father to the fatherless
*He protects the widows
*He shames our enemies
*He created man
*His name is excellent in all the earth
*The Lord endures forever
*The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed
*In times of trouble, He will hide us
*He never forsakes those that seek Him
*The Lord is King for ever and ever
*His mercy is great above the heavens
*His truth reaches the clouds
*He setteth the poor high from affliction
*He brings those who cry unto Him out of distress
*The Lord silences flattering lips
*The words of the Lord are pure
*The Lord keeps us stable
*It is God that avengeth us
*The law of the Lord is perfect
*The testimony of the Lord is sure
*Good and upright is the Lord
*He will teach sinners in the way
*All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth…
*The Lord is my light and my salvation…
*The voice of the Lord is powerful, and full of majesty
*Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
*Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
*The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
*The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
*The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
*Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Tombs For Rent!

Mark 16:6

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Tombs For Rent” starring, the Merchant,  and the Inquiring Gentleman! I’m your host, “HolyEll”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Recently, Jesus had been resurrected from Joseph’s new tomb, and word spread throughout all the land. A certain merchant who sold tombs heard the news, then sought to make a profit from those who followed Jesus’s example.)

Merchant: Come, see my newly renovated tombs, the likes of which none have ever been buried in before!

(Men and women pass by, ignoring the voice of the merchant.)

Merchant: People, precious people, I have the best tombs available for rent. But if you act fast, I can be convinced to lower my rates, significantly.

Merchant: Hey sir! Sir! May I borrow a moment of your time?

Inquiring Gentleman: Greetings. Does your sign actually read, “Tombs For Rent”? Is this a joke or something?

Merchant: Ha ha haaaa. Kind sir, have you not heard the news?

Inquiring Gentleman: Apparently not, so enlighten me.

Merchant: There was a man called Jesus, who was said to be the Savior of the Jews. Well, he was brutally crucified, and his body was placed in the tomb right over there! If you haven’t noticed, he’s no longer there!

Inquiring Gentleman: Come again?

Merchant: You heard correctly, he’s gone! Some say his disciples came in the night and stole his body, but whatever the case, I’ll rent my tombs to all who plan on dying and being resurrected, or having their bodies stolen in the night.

Inquiring Gentleman: You can’t be serious… wait, you are serious.

Merchant: Hey, a man’s gotta work to eat, so I’m working, because I like to eat.

Inquiring Gentleman: Who do you actually expect to rent a tomb?

Merchant: Good question. I guess all those people who followed after Jesus, and believed in his words that someday they too will be raised up from the grave.

Inquiring Gentleman: Ahh, you’re referencing 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 that says, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

Merchant: Umm… yeah, sure… right that’s it. Anyhoo, I’d like to offer you a great deal on this tomb behind me. It’s one of a kind, and very spacious.

Inquiring Gentleman: Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll pass. Hope business goes well for you.

Merchant: Your loss sir. People, people come, see my beautifully spacious tombs for rent. Don’t let the price scare you to death… get it?!

(People continue to avoid the merchant, while passing by, as he furthers his advances to rent his tombs.)

According to the book of Hebrews, everyone will have an appointment with death, and we will all return to the same dust we were made of. For those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, the grave will not be their final resting place. But, to all who refuse and reject Christ’s salvation, they’ll suffer not only a natural death, but a spiritual one also.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Tombs For Rent”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

“Cover Me!”

Ephesians 4:25

During times of war, the most important person a soldier can rely on is, the man fighting beside him wearing the same uniform. It’s absolutely important for those fighting alongside each other to always remain focused on their enemy, while at the same time, covering each other in battle. One of the most horrifying and disappointing moments of a battle is when “friendly fire” occurs, and a fellow soldier is either wounded, or permanently taken out of the fight. This action can either be the cause of losing a battle, or prolonging it longer than anticipated. What’s worse than friendly fire is, when a soldier deliberately turns against his own unit, and begins to open fire on his own people. This is simply unacceptable, and can literally shift the tide of any battle. It’s always good to know who you’re fighting with, but also to keep a keen eye on everyone who claims to be on your team, because you never know who will turn against you when the battle begins.

Fighting the “Good fight of faith” will always come with its usual contention against our adversary the devil, but when the children of God are unified, they’ll usually progress through each battle and grow accordingly in faith, patience, wisdom, and experience. Unfortunately, many who walk with God have taken the unexpected bullet from another who claimed to be “saved”. Not everyone who says “Lord Lord” will enter the kingdom of Heaven, and many who seem to be believers in Christ, are far from doing the will of the Lord. A great number of men and women are simply tares, growing amongst the wheat. They look like “church folk”, act godly, walk the walk, and talk the talk, but secretly, they have a plan to pull you away from righteousness. For this reason, it’s vital for all who claim the name of the Lord to pray always, without ceasing. The devil never takes a day off, so the Saints shouldn’t either. We should always keep our guard up, even with friends and family members (I’m just saying… we’re in the last and evil days, and trust is earned).

To all my Christian soldiers, stand firm, stay on guard, and be vigilant. Let’s strive to keep our brothers and sisters covered, while aiming our artillery in the right direction.

The Right Response

Matthew 12

Man’s Response – But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

Jesus’s Response – …But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Man’s Response – And behold there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

Jesus’s Response – What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Man’s Response – … and great multitudes followed him…

Jesus’s Response – …and he healed them all;

Man’s Response – But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of devils.

Jesus’s Response – And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand; and if satan cast out satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then this kingdom stand?

Man’s Response – Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

Jesus’s Response – But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Man’s Response – Then one said unto him, Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

Jesus’s Response – But he answered and said unto them that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?…For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

The Pharisees And Sadducees

Matthew 3

During the time when Jesus walked among men, two of the major religious groups in Israel were the Pharisees and Sadducees. Unlike the Sadducees who were more politically minded, the Pharisees focused more on religious beliefs. Opposing groups rarely joined in union, unless they shared a common hatred for a person or cause. This was the case with these two groups. Both groups had a shared hatred for Jesus, so they became allies to work together against Him. Although the Pharisees and Sadducees had some good qualities, their bad characteristics far outweighed the good.

Pharisees Positive Characteristics:
– Were committed to obeying all of God’s word
– Were admired by the common people for their apparent piety
– Believed in a bodily resurrection and eternal life
– Believed in angels and demons

Pharisees Negative Characteristics:
– Behaved as though their own religious rules were just as important as God’s rules for living
– Their piety was often hypocritical and their efforts often forced others to try to live up to standards they themselves could not live up to
– Believed that salvation came from perfect obedience to the law and was not based on forgiveness of sins
– Were more concerned with appearing to be good than obeying God

Sadducees Positive Characteristics:
– Believed God’s word was limited to the first five books of the Bible
– Were more practically minded than the Pharisees

Sadducees Negative Characteristics:
– Relied on logic while placing little importance on faith
– Did not believe all the Old Testament was God’s word
– Did not believe in a bodily resurrection or eternal life
– Did not believe in angels or demons
– Were often willing to compromise their values with the Romans and others in order to maintain their status and influential positions

Inseparable

Romans 8:31-39

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Is there anything in your life, that is causing separation between you and God the Father? If so, what is it? Could it possibly be money, pride, suffering, or even fame that’s keeping you from walking in unity with God? Take a moment to examine your life, as we near the end of 2021. If there is anything, or anyone holding you back from giving your all to God, remove it, or them from your life, ASAP! Don’t take anything from this year into the next, that has been unprofitable, unfavorable, and unholy. Start your new year in right standing with the Father, and allow your love for Him to grow stronger, daily.

Querer y Hacer

Romans 7

A menudo, parece difícil vivir una vida santa de manera constante. La batalla inevitable entre el bien y el mal da forma a todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas, y el camino que toman nuestras vidas está determinado por el lado al que nos sometemos. Cuando una persona se convierte recientemente en la familia de Dios, tiene un deseo insaciable de hacer el bien. Su mente ha sido renovada, sus pensamientos se han refrescado y sus intenciones están puestas en hacer solo el bien. Desafortunadamente, la temporada de la novedad tiende a agotarse, cuando los deseos del pasado regresan gradualmente a sus vidas. Cuanto más tiempo pase un individuo estudiando, aprendiendo y creciendo en el camino de la santidad, más probabilidades tendrá de estar debidamente equipado para caminar en el Espíritu, mientras evita los deseos de la carne. Por otro lado, el menor tiempo dedicado a la palabra de Dios puede hacer que una persona sea influenciada por la injusticia y sus efectos dañinos. Todos podemos tener un fuerte deseo, o voluntad de hacer lo que Dios nos ordenó que hiciéramos, pero si no somos diligentes en nuestro compromiso de servir y nos negamos a estudiar para mostrarnos aprobados ante Dios, entonces nuestra voluntad y nuestros deseos solo lo harán. residen en nuestras mentes y no en nuestras acciones.

To Will… And To Perform

Romans 7

Oftentimes, it seems hard to live a holy life on a consistent basis. The inevitable battle between good and evil shapes every aspect of our lives, and the path our lives take, is determined by which side we submit to. When a person is newly converted into the family of God, they have an insatiable desire to do good. Their mind has been renewed, thoughts refreshed, and intentions set on doing only good. Unfortunately, the season of newness tends to wear down, when the desires of the past gradually creep back into their lives. The more time an individual spends studying, learning, and growing in the way of holiness, the more likely they’ll become properly equipped to walk in the Spirit, while avoiding the lusts of the flesh. On the other hand, the less time spent in God’s word can cause a person to become influenced by unrighteousness, and it’s harmful effects. We all may have a strong desire, or will to do as God commanded us to do, but if we aren’t diligent in our commitment to serve, and refuse to study to show ourselves approved unto God, then our will and desires will only reside in our minds, and not our actions.