Everybody imitates somebody. When I was a kid, I had a friend who adapted the mannerisms and expressions of Colonel Hogan from the tv series Hogan's Heroes.
After whom do you pattern your life?
Elisha patterned his after Elijah's. Elisha did not just practice Elijah's preaching style or memorize his best lines, but he walked the same roads Elijah walked, he slept in the same houses, ate the same fare, braved the same elements, confronted the same crowds. He stood behind him as the prophet spoke, carried water when he was thirsty, delivered messages when asked. Elisha was covered by the dust Elijah's feet stirred up.
It worked. Elisha received what he asked for. A double-portion of Elijah's anointing came upon him.
Admiring someone does not make you like them. Doing what they do is what changes you. You can't act like Madonna and become Mother Teresa.
Who you admire is important, but who you imitate is critical, because they are what you are becoming.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Seeing The Spiritual Dimension
Exodus 24:17 "And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel."
People miss the spiritual dimension because they frame everything in physical terms. While Moses basked in the presence of God, those looking on saw nothing but frightening flames. Because they could not grasp the spiritual dimension of God's visit with Moses, they made and worshipped their own god within sight of the fire that marked God's presence.
Those who view everything in physical terms are not comfortable with a dynamic God and frequently wind up creating their own god - a god they make out of familiar stuff and who can't move once they put him where they want him to stay.
Submission, obedience, and love are all spiritual acts that are performed in the physical realm. Many won't conform to God's Word so they miss the wonder of His presence because submission, obedience, and love look as appealing as a - well, as a forest fire. They see and experience only the physical and never enjoy the fulness of what a relationship with God offers.
If you never see the spiritual dimension of your life, the physical will always frustrate you. God rides on stormy waves, wraps Himself in dark clouds, and rests behind badger skin walls. Don't let your problems or your hang-ups keep you from His company.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
People miss the spiritual dimension because they frame everything in physical terms. While Moses basked in the presence of God, those looking on saw nothing but frightening flames. Because they could not grasp the spiritual dimension of God's visit with Moses, they made and worshipped their own god within sight of the fire that marked God's presence.
Those who view everything in physical terms are not comfortable with a dynamic God and frequently wind up creating their own god - a god they make out of familiar stuff and who can't move once they put him where they want him to stay.
Submission, obedience, and love are all spiritual acts that are performed in the physical realm. Many won't conform to God's Word so they miss the wonder of His presence because submission, obedience, and love look as appealing as a - well, as a forest fire. They see and experience only the physical and never enjoy the fulness of what a relationship with God offers.
If you never see the spiritual dimension of your life, the physical will always frustrate you. God rides on stormy waves, wraps Himself in dark clouds, and rests behind badger skin walls. Don't let your problems or your hang-ups keep you from His company.
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Why Preachers Fail
Speaking at the Jackson College of Ministries graduation in 2004, Arless Glass listed five reasons why preachers fail.
1. Like Cain, they think their own works will save them.
2. Like Lot, they think they can have both the world and God.
3. Like Korah, they become a law unto themselves, and are unteachable.
4. Like Saul, they operate out of their place, seeking people to serve them, forgetting that we will only be kings in heaven.
5. Like Judas, they think they can dictate their own way to God.
1. Like Cain, they think their own works will save them.
2. Like Lot, they think they can have both the world and God.
3. Like Korah, they become a law unto themselves, and are unteachable.
4. Like Saul, they operate out of their place, seeking people to serve them, forgetting that we will only be kings in heaven.
5. Like Judas, they think they can dictate their own way to God.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
What Is Your Price?
The value of a thing is determined by the price one is willing to pay to possess it.
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:..." 1 John 3:16
What is the price God placed on His relationship with you?
He had several offers to 'sell-out.'
The Pharisees suggested that He adjust His theology. He said no.
The citizens of Jerusalem offered Him a throne. He said no.
Satan promised Him control of all that He could see. He refused to sell.
The scribes, lawyers, and rabbis tried to coerce and intimidate Him into a trade. They failed to find anything that Jesus valued more than His love for you.
What is your price?
He loved you more than He loved Himself.
He sought your love more than He sought popularity.
He wanted you more than He wanted an earthly throne.
He desired your fellowship more than He valued admission into the inner circle of society's elite.
What is your price?
We judge how much a person values a thing by noting what they will trade it for.
Annanias and Sapphira traded Him for the hope of a little public recognition.
Demas loved the pleasures of his culture more than He loved serving Jesus.
Judas sold Him for 30 pieces of silver.
What is your price?
Would you give away your relationship with God to gain the approval of your friends?
Would you renege on your commitment to God in exchange for a promising career?
Would you trade your eternal relationship with God for a temporary one with some man or woman?
What is your price?
Acceptance by your friends? That’s what the pharisees offered Jesus.
To be honored and cheered by your community? That’s what the multitude offered Jesus.
Admission into society's upper crust? That’s what the Sanhedrin offered Jesus.
Great wealth and power? That's what Satan offered Jesus.
What is your price?
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:..." 1 John 3:16
What is the price God placed on His relationship with you?
He had several offers to 'sell-out.'
The Pharisees suggested that He adjust His theology. He said no.
The citizens of Jerusalem offered Him a throne. He said no.
Satan promised Him control of all that He could see. He refused to sell.
The scribes, lawyers, and rabbis tried to coerce and intimidate Him into a trade. They failed to find anything that Jesus valued more than His love for you.
What is your price?
He loved you more than He loved Himself.
He sought your love more than He sought popularity.
He wanted you more than He wanted an earthly throne.
He desired your fellowship more than He valued admission into the inner circle of society's elite.
What is your price?
We judge how much a person values a thing by noting what they will trade it for.
What price have you put on your relationship with God?
Balaam traded Him for the approval of a few regional dictators.Annanias and Sapphira traded Him for the hope of a little public recognition.
Demas loved the pleasures of his culture more than He loved serving Jesus.
Judas sold Him for 30 pieces of silver.
What is your price?
Would you give away your relationship with God to gain the approval of your friends?
Would you renege on your commitment to God in exchange for a promising career?
Would you trade your eternal relationship with God for a temporary one with some man or woman?
What is your price?
Acceptance by your friends? That’s what the pharisees offered Jesus.
To be honored and cheered by your community? That’s what the multitude offered Jesus.
Admission into society's upper crust? That’s what the Sanhedrin offered Jesus.
Great wealth and power? That's what Satan offered Jesus.
What is your price?
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
Matthew 13:44-46
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
Saturday, June 03, 2006
What It Is Not
We often talk about what living for God is, but we sometimes miss what it isn't.
It isn't a horserace.
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22
It isn't a walk in the park.
"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
It isn't a beauty review.
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquaninted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:3-4
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1
It isn't a life of leisure.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:58
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
It isn't a horserace.
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22
It isn't a walk in the park.
"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
It isn't a beauty review.
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquaninted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:3-4
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1
It isn't a life of leisure.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:58
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
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