Category: Salvation in Christ

Excerpt from Upcoming Book

Hello fellow bloggers, subscribers, and friends. I’m sharing another excerpt from my upcoming book, which I hope to publish by January 2025. Check out all three excerpts in August, September, and now, October.

Excerpt:

“We should have knowledge about and reflect upon these blessings that are given to all believers at the moment of our salvation. They come with divine authority from a graceful God. Knowing these should help us form a correct concept about who God is, how He is, and what He does. We’re now enabled to think and act differently, according to God’s kingdom and not this world. Our spiritual and natural self-esteem should bolster. Also, meditating on these blessings will remove doubt and fear as we experience failure, persecution, temptation, and trials. Having this status in God’s kingdom helps us not to shrink back, just as Paul and the saints in Ephesus did not. We should sense such closeness to God, who loves and cares for His children. We should feel wanted by Him.

No one goes through such in-depth detail, planning, and giving of themselves without wanting you to be a part. If you do not feel accepted or worthy, ask God to remove any mental blocks that are prohibiting you from believing these blessings are now for you. You don’t have to work to earn them. Ask Him to cleanse your psyche of any assessments, stereotypes, or opinions applied to your life that came from you and what you did, or family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, the law, the psychiatrist, social worker, preacher, priest, teacher, social media, television, magazines, etc.—whoever.

Let’s close this chapter with one of Paul’s most befitting prayers in Ephesians 1:15-23, asking for the Lord’s help to shift our perspective on who we are now in Christ. We begin with, ‘Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us...'”

[Copyright © 2024 by Eleanor D. Parks]

Want to read more? Please click here to add your name and email to my author’s list to be notified once the book goes to print.

Thanks and remain blessed until next time! 🙂

Calvary or Cavalry?

A song that rang in my ear during my childhood; I loved hearing the pastor and congregation singing it. Pastor wasn’t a singer but you knew how much he loved this song by the way he bobbed his head and moved his legs while singing it. 🙂 It still reverberates in my spirit today at 62—At Calvary.

“Calvary,” or Golgotha was a site immediately outside Jerusalem’s walls where, according to Christianity’s four gospels, Jesus was crucified. Interestingly to me, there is a similarly spelled word “cavalry.” It denotes a unit of troops on horseback summoned for war. This group of soldiers is trained to fight and can be quickly deployed in a war. It was God, the Father, who summoned and deployed Jesus for calvary in this war for human souls. Jesus was the troop, the only war hero who fought to the death and won the battle to bring us to God.

At Calvary

Years I spent in vanity and pride
Caring not my Lord was crucified
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary

[Refrain]     Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon, there, was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

By God’s word at last my sin I learned
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary

[Refrain]     Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon, there, was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

Now I’ve given Jesus everything
Now I gladly know him as my King
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary!

[Refrain]     Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon, there, was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

O, the love that drew salvation’s plan
O, the grace that brought it down to man
O, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary

[Refrain]     Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon, there, was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

By William R. Newell

As this song tells us, Jesus’ death grants us unlimited mercy, grace, pardon, and freedom. Oh, and three days later, after this war at Calvary, Jesus got up from His grave; He’s the only war hero who ever did. Death couldn’t hold Him down. Wow! Jesus Christ is alive! Receive Him into your life now.

Happy Easter! 😊

Hear the Gaithers sing it.

Moses’ Questions: Who, What, When, Where, and How?

Happy New Year! Mine came in with a blast! No, I wasn’t at a celebratory event with a group of family or friends, nor was I having a quiet romantic evening with a significant other or out watching the Times Square ball drop or beautiful flaring fireworks. I ended 2023 alone at home on my laptop in a virtual church service. And I received an unexpected, much-needed, powerful message to take me into 2024 and one I should carry throughout the rest of the year.

The scripture: Exodus 33:12-23. The bible character: Moses. The situation: He’s questioning God. Key words: The Lord’s presence. The overall gist: Stay in God’s presence, in communication for a more peaceful, restful year. The key verse: My presence shall go with thee, and I will give you rest. This is the Lord’s answer to Moses’ question. The words instantly resonated with me. I knew it was what I would need for 2024.

If you read Moses’ story in the Bible, you’ll learn how from God’s initial call to him to lead the Israelite community out of Egyptian bondage and throughout Moses’ performing the task, he stayed in contact with God and asked Him a lot of questions. Moses had doubts and was apprehensive and insecure. We are too. He recognized the monumental task and the skills one would need to fulfill it—leadership ability, people skills, public speaking and organization skills, physical strength and stamina, and confidence. Moses had none of these. He needed assurance, and God did oblige him.

In Exodus 3:11, Moses doubts his ability to perform the task. The Lord replies in verse 12 saying, “Surely I will be with you.” Moses presents his concerns to God about the people believing he was sent or paying attention to him (Exodus 3:13 and 4:1). God responds in verse 14, “I AM that I AM…You must say this to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you,” and in Exodus 4:3-9, The Lord gives Moses a sign. Next, Moses laments his speaking ability (Exodus 4:10). The Lord assures him in 4:11-12, “The Lord said to him, ‘…So now go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you must say.’” Finally, Moses requests the Lord to send someone else (Exodus 4:13). In verses 4:14-16, the Lord does get a bit perturbed with Moses but does oblige him. He says, “… What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak very well.” 

Now, in this text my brother shared at our New Year’s service, Moses is well into fulfilling his calling. He has led the Israelites to a certain point but not yet into the land of promise. There is more journeying to do, yet Moses is still in contact with the Lord. What’s happening? What prompts Moses’ question this time? He’s wondering, how will he know, who will go with him, and whether he will have the Lord’s favor. You see, so much had happened. The Israelites angered God and broke the bond they had with Him. As a result, the Lord shifted. He did not detract from His promise but had to reprimand them. Moses recognizes this yet maintains his personal, intimate communion with God. He needs to know God’s redirected plan in getting the Israelites to their ultimate destination—the promised land. Moses dares not leave God out, take matters into his own hands, or think he could manage the rest of the mission on his own. He stays focused, remains humble, and stays close to God for what to do next; this was the Lord’s people and promise to them.

We too should never get to a place of complacency or overconfidence during our Christian journey. It’s easy for us, at times, to begin to rely on our abilities, and/or our skills or strength, and think, “I got this!” This is a caution for me because the Lord has given me a good degree of smarts; I can make things happen. However, we can’t afford this level of confidence when it comes to God’s kingdom life because it does not rely upon or operate as the world. Whether simply living day by day to become a more fruitful Christian or fulfilling a specific calling, we always need to hear from the Lord. The Church can not afford to sideline the Holy Spirit on Church affairs.  Perhaps we have left out the Holy Spirit in how we now function, you think?

Like Moses, we need not fear to ask God questions, to hear His voice, to know his word, and to receive his direction and encouragement for us. We should always keep our communication with God open to receive His assurance we’re going the right way and that His presence is with us.

Be blessed until next time! 🙂

 

Inspiration by Ellie’s 2023 Blog Recap

Take a look at Inspiration by Ellie’s 2023 year in review of Blog messages, written to uplift, inspire, include, and point you to a wonderful life with God, the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ!

Well, we’re at the close of 2023. My year is ending severely congested with flu-like symptoms since Christmas day, (but not COVID or the flu the doctor says). I’ve been bed-bound in my pjs and loungewear, taking meds, and drinking lots of juices. It’s not so bad, however, because I’m completing some Bible studies I started, reviewing videos from a writer’s conference I attended, catching up on some reading, and reflecting on my writing. I don’t just write to pass the time or because I like to. I write with a message I share with my readers to inspire them. This is the reason for Inspiration by Ellie’s blog site, as noted on my page titled Where can I find Inspiration.

I closed 2022 with a reminder for us to take into 2023. The blog was An Unprecedented Gift of Jesus Christ. Presented to us by God, the Father, Matthew’s gospel tells us the Messiah will be called “Jesus, who will save his people from their sins,” and “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” Long before Jesus was to arrive on earth, the Israelite community foretold his coming. The gift of Jesus Christ was unprecedented because of the way Jesus was conceived, the angelic appearances made about Him, and the array of people God strategically used to help get Him here. From Jesus’ conception to His birth to speaking his first sermon and performing His first miracle, God called on people to participate in this miracle. This demonstrates God’s willingness to relate with us. It’s also why Christmas is such a memorable time in the Christian community! But our commemoration does not end when the Christmas season does. As Immanuel, Jesus Christ was on a mission–to show us God and bring us to Him. Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection resulted in us being rescued from sin’s dominion, sin’s power, sin’s penalty, and–soon—from sin’s very presence. The completion of His earthly mission fulfilled all of God’s righteous requirements or standards He had in place to be in a right standing with Himself. Our acceptance and belief in this truth about Jesus is how we become close to God; Jesus is the only way we can do so. It’s why He’s important to get to know. And this is why each month in every year, I write blogs—to communicate this truth in such a way you get it!

So, did I do that? Have I inspired or encouraged you through my Blog posts? Do you feel God’s love and concern for you? Have you learned something important from the scriptures? Did you gain any hope to live and fight another day? Did you discover something new, a different perspective? Were you uplifted or encouraged this year? Were you incited to believe Jesus’ testimony and invite Him into your heart as your Lord and Savior? Could you get a sense of how well-known and important you are to God from the explanation of scripture, and how important God and His Son, Jesus, is to the world?

I’m closing 2023 by recapping Inspiration by Ellie’s 2023 blog posts. Welcome to all my new subscribers who came on board this year! Thank you to all who have been following me for a while; I appreciate all of you and welcome your comments, suggestions, thoughts, or criticisms. Feel free. If you haven’t read any one post, simply click the link to a title that may interest you. You can also complete the Subscribe section to automatically receive monthly content each time I post. Finally, join my author’s mailing list to be notified about my upcoming book to be published in 2024.

Inspiration by Ellie’s 2023 Blog Messages:

January         –          He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.

The gist or main point here: From the verse in the Bible in 1 Chron 29:11-13, to emphasize God’s superiority, greatness, power, and ownership over everything and everyone in our world.

February        –           Wanted…You!

The gist or main point here: Shared a personal experience of my life for you to know me better, which is an excerpt from my upcoming book.

March             –           Find Shelter

The gist or main point here: Local, state, national, and world news headlines and social media are overwhelming most days. From Psalms 91, persons can find comfort that there is a safe place and shelter one can find in God.

April                –           GOD is Good–All the Time!

The gist or main point here: “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good” is a popular cliché we hear and say a lot today. But it’s true! It’s God’s nature to only be good and show goodness. Acts 10:38

May                –           Repost of Find Shelter

The gist or main point here: This is a repost of March’s blog, Find Shelter. I reposted due to the continuous disturbing news I was hearing.

June               –           In It, But Not of It. Huh?

The gist or main point here: Jesus made many controversial statements, ones His followers could not always comprehend. This blog is an exposition of what Jesus was teaching His followers in John 15:18-21 about being in this world but not of the world.

August            –           In It, But Not of It: Huh? Part 2

The gist or main point here: This blog is a continued exposition of Jesus’ statement about His followers being in the world but not of the world. This time, we also expound on the scripture found in John 17:13-23, where Jesus is clear how this idea was not just for His followers during His time but all who would come after them.

September     –           Post by Sheri Rose, Not of the World

The gist or main point here: This is a daily devotional entitled, “Not of the World” by Sheri Rose Shepherd (2015), His Princess Every Day Devotional, Bible Gateway. I follow His Princess Every Day Devotionals and enjoy Sheri’s messages. This one coincides with mine about not being of the world.

October          –           What’s your Issue(s)?

The gist or main point here: Discussion on a story in the Bible found in Luke 8:43-48 about a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years; Jesus healed her because of the faith she demonstrated. We too can be healed of our issues.

November      –           Gratitude During the Holiday Season

The gist or main point here: Reflections on the Thanksgiving holiday and specific things for which I was personally grateful.

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Inspiration by Ellie Blog family!

I love you and wish you God’s choicest blessings!

I hope to connect with you in better ways and more in 2024!

“Not of the World” repost by Sheri Rose Shepherd (2015), His Princess Every Day Devotional, Bible Gateway

Another sister in the faith agrees how we’re not of this world. (Retrieved 9/4/2023 from https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/his-princess-every-day/today. Sign up to receive Sheri’s His Princess Letters in your email inbox. Be blessed until next time…. 🙂

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My Princess Warrior,

I am the master builder of your home in heaven, and I am the Creator of everything on earth. This is not your home, my beloved warrior; your true citizenship is in heaven. While you’re on the battlefield fighting for souls to be saved, I am preparing a paradise for you. The Place I am preparing for you will have no more death, heartache, pain, or war. But for now, my chosen one, I need you to fight the good fight of your faith with your whole heart, soul, and mind, knowing that this spiritual war will soon be over and eternal rewards await you.

Love,
Your King who reigns in heaven and earth

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” – John 18:36 (NLT)

A Prayer for Kingdom

I pray for you, my sister princess, to receive a touch from heaven today… that our Father in heaven will remove the blinders from your eyes and you will experience an eternal view of the amazing things to come. May you find peace in knowing that the troubles of this world will soon be over, and the joys to come will be everlasting. I pray that thoughts of eternity inspire you to share God’s love everywhere you go and increase the citizenship of heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. – 1 Peter 2:11 (NLT)