The Darkness

Matthew 10

Why do some people choose darkness, rather than light? What causes men to gravitate toward things that cause chaos and division, rather than unity and order? Well, speaking the truth of God’s word is one sure way to turn the world against you. Jesus once told His disciples, they would face certain persecution, for speaking His truth to the world. The disciples were hated by countless men, who sought only to bring harm to them, simply for doing what Jesus instructed them to do. Even today, those who live contrary to the world, and its perverse culture, are seen as odd, or abnormal. Men today would rather hear lies, than truth. The word of God brings division. It separates those who yearn to grow in grace, and the knowledge of God’s wisdom, from those who have strong desires to please their flesh. Why do men love darkness over light? Because, their appetite for the world is far greater than their desire for the God who created it.

Tips for Holy Living

Colossians 3

MORTIFY – to kill (literally or figuratively): become dead, (cause to be) put to death:
●Fornication – to be utterly unchaste, indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practice idolatry:
●Uncleanness – impurity (the quality), physically or morally, contamination:
●Inordinate affection – unholy passions:
●Evil Concupiscence – unholy longing (especially for what is forbidden:
●Covetousness – to set the heart upon wrongfully, desire, envy, be jealous over:

PUT OFF – to take off (in various senses), carry away, lead (away), put to death, take away
●Old Man – former behavior, character, deeds prior to regeneration:
●Anger – violent passion:
●Wrath – fierceness, indignation:
●Malice – the desire to harm someone or the feeling of pleasure at someone’s misfortune:
●Blasphemy – vilification or evil speaking against God:
●Evil Communication – unholy, unhealthy, or unprofitable words spoken:

PUT ON – array, clothe (with), endue:
●New Man – renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ:
●Bowels of Mercies – overabundance od compassion:
●Kindness – fraternal affection, brotherly love:
●Humbleness of Mind – having a modest view of oneself; not feeling superior over others:
●Meekness – lowly; submissive:
●Longsuffering – patient; able to quietly tolerate suffering:

Walk, Work, Words

Psalm 15:1-2

“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”

*Judge your life, not by other’s opinion of you, but by your lifestyle, your works, and the words you speak. This is how God the Father will determine who will dwell in His holy hill.

Walking Through The Impossible

Matthew 14:22-33

If you had the opportunity to switch places with the apostle Peter, on the night he walked on the water to meet Jesus, would you accept? Imagine being the only person in history to do the impossible, and live to tell others about it!

When the men on the ship saw a figure walking on the sea, they became terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost. But, Jesus told them, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” The men undoubtedly knew the voice of Jesus, as they had been following Him for quite some time, but of all who were on the ship, Peter alone acted on faith, and asked to join Jesus on the water. After accepting Jesus’ invitation, Peter stepped down out of the ship, and began walking on the water. As I sit and write this lesson, I’m looking at the water as boats sail by, and wonder what thoughts ran through Peter’s mind as he took his first steps on water. Well, the Bible mentions, Peter gave more attention to the boisterous winds rather than Jesus, and he began to sink because of fear. Jesus immediately stretched forth His hand and caught Peter, to save him from drowning.

While focusing on Jesus, Peter was able to do the impossible, but the moment he placed his focus on his problems, his faith wavered, and he began to sink. Although we may not walk on water, we will face tough situations in life, but if we keep our focus on Jesus, we’ll walk through all that we face, and come out on the other side. On the other hand, if we focus on the wind and waves, we’ll sink in all our problems and difficult situations. Don’t allow your inadequacies to take precedence over the awesome power of Christ.

Just A Touch 2

Matthew 14:34-36

Throughout His ministry, Jesus was constantly on the move, traveling from place to place, doing the works of His Father. His purpose was to reach and teach as many as He could, during the time He would spend on the earth.

After revealing another dimension of His power by way of walking on water, and being acknowledged a second time as the Son of God, Jesus and those who followed Him, went to a land called Gennesaret. This fertile land was north of the shore of Galilee, and was known for producing both temperate and tropical fruits. This particular area was also brimming with people who suffered sickness and disease. So, when the men of the land recognized the man among them was Jesus, they quickly spread word to all the country, to bring all who were diseased to Jesus.

The most interesting point in this story seems to relate to the woman who had the issue of blood. I’m not 100 percent certain there’s a relation with the woman and the people of Gennesaret, but all who came to Jesus, sought only to touch the hem of His garment for their healing, so word of the woman’s story may have spread to this land as well. These sick folk had enough faith to believe, only a touch of Jesus’ clothes, would bring their healing. Mercifully, their faith was in the right place, for all who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment were made perfectly whole. Jesus didn’t perform half healings, but His manifestations were total and permanent.

Jesus healed according to the faith of those who came to Him, so all who desired healing, sought total deliverance and restoration. When you come to God, do you seek partial deliverance, or do you want God to give you a total and complete manifestation of those things your heart desires? Reach out in faith, and touch Jesus, so He can make you whole again.

Because I’m Happy!

Psalm 1

Some people consider happiness to be a temporary state everyone experiences throughout their life, but I’ve learned that some temporal moments of happiness can actually last an eternity. While that may sound oxymoronic, allow me a brief moment to indulge you with an explanation.

Our text actually begins with the term, “happy”, as the original definition of “Blessed” is happiness (according to Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon). So, rather than read, “Blessed is the man…”, we can read, “Happy” is the man…”. That’s rather interesting, as this supposed temporal state of being can be enjoyed and appreciated every day. When we develop a desire to yearn for, and appreciate the Word of God, we’ll gain a greater understanding of the value of His written Word. When a man values a thing, he literally gets joy and jitters whenever he’s exposed to, or thinks on it. This is similar to a man who falls for a woman, and the more he learns of her, the more excited he becomes to desire her even more.

God’s Word is the richest, and most relevant source of knowledge on the planet, but I fail to understand how men can know what’s in the Word, and willingly reject it. I’m happy every day, because God offered me His free gift of salvation. I’m happy every day, because all my sins (past, present, future) were washed away, by the blood of Jesus (this doesn’t give us a right to sin willfully, and abuse God’s grace). I’m happy every day, because I can freely read, and study the Bible, without being persecuted, as many are in other countries, even to this very day.

It’s because of my happiness in the law of the Lord, that I willingly choose not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scornful men. Instead, I prefer to meditate daily on God’s inspiring and fulfilling Scriptures, so that I can always be positioned to produce good fruit, the works of my hands will prosper, and I’ll forever operate in the favor of our heavenly Father.

Are you happy, knowing that you have been made the righteousness of God, through Christ Jesus? If so, appreciate that state of being forever.

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