Tag: will

Interesting Interviews

1 Samuel 18:1-26:25, Mark 14

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Interesting Interviews” starring, HolyEll and various characters throughout Bible history! I’m your host, “HolyEll”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(“5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. 7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? 9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” [1 Samuel 18:5-9])

King Saul: AHHHHHGGGG!!! (“And Saul cast a javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it.”)

(As David escapes, HolyEll appears in king Saul’s presence.)

HolyEll: Woah! Woah! Woah big fella! Calm your nerves a little bit. You could have killed that boy.

King Saul: Who in God’s name are you? And, how did you get in here? And, what are you wearing?

HolyEll: Listen, your majesty. Do you realize, you nearly took the life of an innocent boy; the same one who saved your life from Goliath, and a potential Philistine invasion?

King Saul: It matters not anymore who that lad is. What matters is, he has taken the glory that’s due to my name. He has embarrassed me in the midst of my people. I can no longer allow him to live.

HolyEll: Do you actually think before you speak sir?

King Saul: What?! I shall have you beheaded at once. GUARDS!!!

HolyEll: Oh Lord, I gotta go. Hey king, before I take my leave, just remember, God allowed you to be Israel’s first king. He entrusted you with the safety and well-being of His people. Unfortunately, your pride and arrogance has caused for God to seek a replacement leader. David will soon propel God’s people to the place you could have taken them to. By the way, David will soon have two opportunities to take your life, but he’ll spare you, because he’s a man after God’s own heart. Sleep with one eye open, meanie pants!

(HolyEll vanishes into thin air, as king Saul wonders in amazement.)

King Saul: Did you men see that? Who was that strange fellow? Find him, then bring him to me. Tighten up patrol, and let me know when you have apprehended the boy, David also.

(“21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.” “42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.” [Mark 14:21, 42])

(HolyEll appears before Judas and the group of men seeking to arrest Jesus.)

HolyEll: Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Where are you guys headed? My, what pointy weapons you have? Are you all headed to kill someone? Wait, I know. You’re headed to falsely accuse and arrest the man called Jesus.

Judas: Who are you boy? Why are you here? You know nothing of our business.

HolyEll: Actually, I know more than you can imagine. In fact, I even know how your life will end.

Judas: Get away from us. You’re beginning to pester me.

HolyEll: How did it feel, being in the presence of the Son of God, witnessing miracles, and hearing powerful and impactul sermons? Oh I’m sorry, while your brethren were doing as Jesus instructed, your hands were busy stealing money from the treasury.

Judas: That’s enough! Leave us now, or you’ll be dealt with.

HolyEll: Alright, I’ll leave. But, before I go, you still have time to change your mind before you deliver your kiss of betrayal.

(HolyEll vanishes into thin air, as Judas and the men with Him wonder in amazement.)

Judas: Men, pay no attention to that annoying person. Let’s continue our plan.

*There will be seasons in life when we veer off track, but God gives us time to correct the errors of our ways, and align ourselves with His way. Unfortunately, some people allow themselves to drift too far from safety, until they eventually set themselves up for a hopeless end. Stay true to God, even during your weak moments, because only by His strength can you recover, and be properly set up to walk the path of righteousness consistently.

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

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.

Eternal Inheritance

Romans 8:14-25

An heir is someone who is legally entitled to the property, or title of another, upon that person’s death. An heir also inherits and continues the legacy of one who preceded him or her. Typically, gaining an inheritance requires no work, and the beneficiary receives all claims after the death of the predecessor. As children of God, believers are heirs to the Father, and joint-heirs with Christ. The Greek word ‘heirs’, klēronomeō, means a receiver of an inheritance, or beneficiary. If we are children of God, then we are receivers of His inheritance as well. In the same way the child of a wealthy parent does nothing to receive what’s left for them except live to accept it, the inheritance we possess in Christ, is not based on works either. Although the children of God must endure suffering, as Christ did (to some capacity), their groans and toils will soon be rewarded with the adoption, and redemption of their bodies. All who are in Christ Jesus will someday be changed from mortality, to immortality, then all God’s people will spend eternity enjoying the wonderful inheritance of God their Father.

Inseparable

Luke 9:57-62

Following in the footsteps of Jesus may require that we give up things we hold to dearly, so as not to be distracted by them once we begin to progress in His will. When Jesus gathered His disciples, they were all commanded to give up what they loved, to follow after Him. Jesus is in no way insensitive to others, but He was fully aware that the path He walked, wouldn’t be an easy one. In addition, holding on to their past could potentially distract the disciples from fulfilling the will God had set in place, and Jesus needed men by His side, who were willing to go the distance, and not give in to their past. Even today, there are countless things that distract God’s people from staying consistent to His will. We get drawn away from godliness by investing too much time in things like television, relationships, personal goals, or even our careers. But, we shouldn’t allow anything, including family, to separate us from the love of God. God’s will is priority, and it’s of the upmost importance that we strive to do our part, to see it fulfilled. We can’t allow the opinions of others, or our own desires to distract us from doing as we were commanded by the Father. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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” (Romans 8:38-39).

Choose Wisely

1 John 2:28-3:10

If we don’t abide in God, when Christ returns, we’ll lack confidence in our eternal security, and be ashamed at His coming. If we are ignorant of God’s righteousness, then we’ll never understand the righteous works of those who are born of God, or committed to His purpose.

Have you ever really realized how much God loves us? Well, it was His intentions all along, for His created humans to be called His sons. So, how does a common man become royalty, without being born into the family line? According to man’s tradition, this is virtually impossible, but because of Jesus, all who accept the gift of salvation, can transform from common, to royal.

As sons of God, the world won’t understand they way we walk, talk, live, and believe, because their understanding of biblical doctrines is darkened. But, the hope we have in Christ makes us pure, regardless of what man labels us as. Being born of God, makes it possible for the redeemed to actually live a sinless life. Say what?! The Bible mentions in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”, but it is doable to live sinless in the earth. Although believers slip here and there (with no intentions of abusing grace), the seed of righteousness is planted in everyone who is born of God, and if they consistently adhere to His Word, they can indeed resist the practice of, or temptation to commit sin.

Verse 8 reads, “He that committeth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning.” While in Heaven, Lucifer allowed pride to cloud his judgment, thus causing him to rebel against God. His very nature is still influencing many today, but through the power and grace of God, anyone can overcome evil, and commit themselves to His holy will. All it takes to become royalty in Heaven is, a choice. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

“If you ever made a mistake in your life, don’t judge someone else who falls.” – Ell

🎶 Walk In The Light… Beautiful Light 🎶

John 3:16-21

What is light? We see what it does, but what is it actually? Light exposes cockroaches in your kitchen, illuminates the midnight skies with starlight, expands and radiates in all directions like a lightbulb, bends around corners, and even carries energy and momentum. Light is an amazing source of awesomeness, and it has been a major benefit to mankind, since the beginning. In the natural sense, light is responsible for doing all these things, but on the spiritual level, light holds a more intense purpose. In the Bible, light is often contrasted with darkness, and is synonymous with knowledge. The knowledge of God (His Word) reveals the truth, and exposes the darkness found in sin and disobedience. The purpose of Christ coming to the earth was, so darkness could be revealed, and men could discover their desperate need for the light. Those who refuse and reject God’s light, willingly do evil, and hate the knowledge of His Word, so they get comfortable doing deeds in darkness, so the light won’t expose them. As children of God, we live in such a way, that our lives mirror that of Christ’s, so when the light shines over us, we welcome it, because our deeds are pure, holy, and acceptable unto God. Walk in the light, so that you can be a shining example of what holy living looks like, in these last and evil days.

“If God is love, then is the love you share with others godly?” – Ell

Who Is Jesus?

John 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep…As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father…I lay down my life for the sheep…other sheep I have, I must bring…I lay down my life, that I may take it again…No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself…I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again…

Jesus is amazing! His love for the Father, extended to those who were committed to His charge. Jesus lived a selfless life, and never hesitated to express His love to anyone. Whether it was through teaching, healing, or rebuking, Jesus was responsible for changing the lives of countless men and women throughout the Scriptures. From the beginning of His ministry, until the end, Jesus held true to His Father’s will; never wavering to the left, nor the right, despite the many temptations presented to Him (some by satan himself).

Jesus is the savior of all mankind, and held the power to literally lay down His life, then take it again, so that salvation could be brought to all who would be willing to receive it. The life of Jesus was literally love in action. His words, works, and behavior were all mirror images of the character of God, and gave a vivid understanding of who God is, but in the form of a man. Just as God is, Jesus was patient, kind, merciful, generous, selfless, meek, compassionate, and all the other fruit of the Spirit found in the very nature of the Creator.

I love Jesus, because without Him, I would be drifting away into utter darkness. I am so glad, He came for me, died for my sins, arose to take victory from the grave, and the sting from death, so that I can have an invitation to spend eternity with Him in peace. This is who Jesus is to me. Who is He to you?

“What do you and God have in common?” – Ell

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