God’s protection through oneness

John 17:11-15

When you solicit the prayers of others, do you think they really take your request seriously? Many times I’ve asked others to join me in prayer for a certain situation, only to find out they were so engulfed in their own affairs, they forgot that I needed their support to help get through my own. On the flip side, when people come to you for prayer and support, how much effort do you put into bearing their burdens with them? Prayer is extremely effective in getting God’s attention to send help in times of need, but selfish, single-minded, and unprofitable requests sent to God are ALWAYS returned to sender.

The body of Christ is a single unit, joined together to support each member. We are all dependent upon one another, no matter our differences. In fact, our differences are what make us great! God designed the plan of creation to involve all His children, operating and functioning under different gifts, talents, and special abilities. When the body of believers are in sync, and working together, the works we produce will only bring forth a good and plentiful harvest. What causes believers to miss the mark God set for them is, when some choose their own path, over the one God established for all His people. There’s so much evil in this world, that it’s unwise for any person who claims to know God, to venture out alone. The body is stronger and more effective when all minds and hearts are fixed on God.

In our text, Jesus prayed to the Father for those God trusted in His care. Christ took it upon Himself to cover the church in prayer, because he was fully aware of the wicked plan of satan. Have you ever watched one of those nature shows where the newborn animals are left unprotected, and are fair game to all predators that roam the lands? This is how satan behaves when he sees a struggling believer out in the pasture alone. Jesus prayed not for the world, but for those God gave Him, because they belonged to God. How do you handle other children when left in your care? Do you treat them as your own, or do you favor your own children, while leaving those you’re watching temporarily without the best care? Jesus loves us as if we were His own. When we are one with Christ, we are also one with the Father. It’s vital that we understand this, because there are many who seem to have lost their faith in God, and feel as though they have no worth. On the contrary, we are all wonderful in God’s eyes, and for this reason, He sent another Comforter to keep us encouraged as we continue fulfilling our purpose.

There are countless believers who feel that life is too tough, and they desire only to be taken from this evil world, but we have the power of God, through Christ Jesus, to overcome the world, and all the evil within it. Jesus also prayed not that the Father take the church out of the world, but to keep them there, and protect them from satan. Don’t look at life and it’s challenges as if that’s all there is to living. Instead, face those challenges head on, while allowing opportunities for God to exhibit His amazing power through your life.

You have been adopted into God’s royal family, and are joint heirs with Christ, so all that belongs to The Father, and the Son, now belongs to you. The strength you need to get along with unruly and uneasy coworkers, simply ask God to give it to you. When you need divine healing in your mind or body, your Father who made the body, obviously has the cure to heal it. Just ask for it. The problem with the modern church is, we’ve become too focused on our problems, while losing hope in the “Problem Solver”. Pull your plug from the powers of darkness, and reconnect to the life source God provides. Stay one with God, and watch as He protects you from all things assigned to knock you off track.

Walk in love,

Ell

Serve and work for God’s pleasure

Philippians 2:12-18

If you knew that you would die in 24 hours, would you be glad about it, while rejoicing, or would you cringe in fear, while thinking of all the things you did in life, hoping that your living pleased God? The average Christian is afraid of dying, not because they are unaware of the events that follow, but it’s a natural “fear of the unknown”, or never experiencing something, that causes many to faint at the mere thought of their non-existence. Christians need not fear death, simply because whatever happens immediately after, we’ll be in good hands, with God. In the book of St. Luke, the rich man and Lazarus both died, but Lazarus opened his eyes in the bosom of Abraham, while the rich man opened his eyes in hell. From that parable Jesus taught from, it’s safe to assume that when a Saint dies, they’ll appear in the company of others who died in the Lord, whereas those who remained in sin, won’t arrive at the same destination. One sure way to overcome the fear of death is, to live a consistent holy life. The closer you get to God, the more boldness you’ll develop, as you face daily challenges and obstacles. Death has no sting, nor does the grave have victory, because Christ overcame them both! We only need to serve God, and obey His commandments, in order to fulfill the the purpose God set for our lives.

The popular apostle in the last few lessons is Paul, and he continues to encourage the churches in this text. He taught the Philippian believers that God works in them to accomplish great things for the Kingdom, but they must allow Him to do so. For God to do His greatest works in them, they had to eliminate murmuring and disputings from their behavior, so that they could be blameless and harmless in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. It’s a privilege, pleasure, and honor to represent the God of all creation on this earth. Believers are supposed to stick out like a sore thumb in this evil world. We are not to blend in with sinful men, but we are to be different, while showing the world what a child of God looks like in behavior, character, conduct, and appearance. Our lives are limited, and our days short, so it’s imperative that we study and meditate on the Word daily, so that if christ came suddenly, we wouldn’t be caught unprepared.

If you knew the date you would leave this earth, how would your behavior change today? Would you live however you wanted until the day approached, then surrender your heart to God at the last minute, or would you give God your best effort every day, and strive to influence others to believe in Him as well? Don’t play with your life people, time truly is winding up. Prove your love to God by living a life that Christ will be proud of at His second coming.

Walk in love,

Ell

Doing is more important than speaking

Matthew 23:5-12

What kind of world would this be, if everyone were just like you? Really meditate on that for a brief moment; like seriously think about it. In what ways can the person you are, or have become effect the entire world, if we were all the same as you? Would the world be full of love, joy, peace, happiness, and positive productivity? Or would the world be as it is today, if not worse, and full of hate, gossip, wars, lying, cheating, pride, arrogance, and manipulation?

As a seasoned believer, or babe in Christ, are you obedient in fulfilling the great commission of Christ? I ask these questions simply to introduce the narrative of today’s text.

Jesus was extremely critical concerning the behavior of the scribes and Pharisees, who were known for being all talk, and no show. They were so cruel until they would demand that men bare heavy burdens they themselves wouldn’t dare carry. Verse five reads, “But all their works they do for to be seen of men…” These hypocrites did things to look good to others, as many do today. They express an outward style in clothing and beautiful forms of religion, and this was the entirety of their religion.

Everything the scribes and Pharisees did was only to bring attention to themselves, and not God. Jesus went on to teach that no man is greater than another, no matter his title, because we all have one Master, and one Father.

It still saddens me as I witness men and women of the clergy, who deem it necessary to surround themselves with an entourage. Men want to feel so important these days until they’ll defy godly standards just to do so. Jesus said that all those who exalt themselves will soon be humbled. I learned a long time ago that it’s better to humble yourself, rather than be humbled at the hands of the Lord.

The main problem with those in leadership who bring attention to themselves is that they block those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, from growing in the knowledge of God. Their heads are so high in the clouds that they aren’t teaching and reaching the hearts of the people. God set men in leadership positions, not to gloat and become haughty, but to lead and guide others in the ways of holiness.

The best candidates for leadership are those who are humble, sensitive to the needs of others, full of the Holy Spirit, and have been working diligently, even before wearing a title.

Would you trust being operated on by a doctor who recently earned his degree, but never performed a surgery? Or would you be more comfortable knowing that your doctor has had years of experience in his field? Don’t be known as one who talks, but doesn’t back it up with action. Let your works speak for you.

Seek peace,

Ell