Tag: Bible Interpretation

Reflections on the Last Day of 2024

Happy New Year’s Eve friends!

It’s true, we really do not know what a day may bring, let alone a year (Proverbs 27:1). For me, 2024 resulted in the loss of five family members–an aunt, three cousins, and last, my 3rd eldest sister. Some deaths we anticipated were soon to happen; others came unexpectedly, without warning. Regardless of when and how they occurred, these loved ones are gone, and I must venture into 2025 without them.

What God says in His word about people, life and death, and eternal matters resonated in my thoughts. Loved ones will one day cease to be because life is limited and death is sure. We must make a decision about where we will spend our eternity.

Jesus Christ assures us that God is the only eternal One, who will never grow tired or weak, cease to be, or stop loving us. He is the only One we should have complete confidence in as we journey into 2025. He is the only sure thing that will never change.

When loss does occur, we must make changes, adopt new mindsets, and follow new protocols or ways of doing things; my sister was the one who drove me to all events. The publishing of my book has halted, so the process is pushed back. I haven’t looked at the manuscript since November. It’s okay because I needed to be sad, grieve, and think about my sister. Lord willing (I now say), I will resume in January, because I did not know 2024 would end in such a way. We can, however, acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty, continue with our plans, and move forward confidently if we’ve made the Lord our refuge and secured our eternity.

So, with that said, here are two brief excerpts from my upcoming book, each from a different chapter.

Excerpt:

“We learn how Joseph worked as a carpenter to care for his wife and family. Jesus was their eldest child, but they had more children. Mark 6:3 (also in Matthew), tells us that Jesus had four younger brothers and at least two sisters. The sisters’ names have been preserved, but the brothers were called James (in the Hebrew, Jacob), Joses (in the Hebrew, Joseph, after his father), Simon, and Judas or Juda (also known as Jude)…”

And, later…

“Eventually, my eldest sisters followed mom and continued hosting the home and community bible clubs. My oldest sister, Chris, put the best spin on it to me by incorporating a puppet show in the clubs. She did shows at home and eventually began using a friend’s church building to host them. The children came and loved it. It had a significant impact on them! Of course, my sisters distributed goodie treats and juice each week, and there were Bible contests and games with prizes. So, it was my mother who instilled in us a love for God and His word, a compassion for children, and the importance of inviting others to receive Jesus Christ into their lives.”

We see here that Jesus too had siblings and understood the whole family dynamic; He felt the same love for His loved ones as we do for ours.

Be blessed until next time. Happy New Year! 🙂

In Honor of My Sister who Finished Well, I’ll Keep Going: Book Excerpt

Hello friends. I unexpectedly lost my 3rd eldest sister last week; she was one of my beta readers for my upcoming book. As a university professor, she would read my manuscript, critique and edit it, and provide feedback. Her feedback, I know, will enhance the book, scheduled to be published in 2025 (Lord willing). Here’s another excerpt.

Excerpt:

“What good is a relationship where neither person is taking steps to strengthen the bond to know each other better? I didn’t find this out until much later in life; I was in such relationships, where it seemed I was putting the most in. I’m naturally an initiator, a friendly person—asking questions to know more, conversational, making suggestions, or giving advice. A lot of times, friends or associates did not always take my suggestions or want to do what I liked doing, so I learned to do it alone. My mom taught me this—learn how to entertain or enjoy yourself. It’s not that I was so weird, or maybe I was. I don’t know. It’s just that the things that excited me did not particularly excite the people I was hanging out with. Maybe, wrong friends, you think? Possibly.

Nonetheless, relationships require cultivating—taking a walk in the park or dining together, binge-watching a TV series or working out at a gym, communicating with one another, and probing them to gain a deeper knowledge or understanding. Time together enables us to see one another and learn each other’s ways. If we don’t cultivate a relationship—new or old—what’s the use? Why are we in it? The relationship will ultimately become a stalemate. It’s going nowhere. Both of you will remain in the same state, the same place, where nothing new is happening, and there is no growth. You’ll just exist. I always believed relationships, especially a love relationship, should bring out the best in you.

Well, this idea is true in a new relationship with God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ–the relationship needs cultivating for it to grow.”

[Copyright © 2024 by Eleanor D. Parks]

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

Remain blessed until next time! 🙂

The Bible Can Inspire All by Itself

I’m not in the best place right now–for several reasons. It’s okay sometimes not to know, know what to say, or to have answers. As such, I don’t have many inspirational words this month. Instead, I want to get your feedback, and discover what inspiration you gain from a particular verse of scripture; it’s one of my favorites.

Psalms 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

So, let’s chat. If you’re comfortable, please share your thoughts or any inspiration you received from this verse of scripture. What does it mean to you? What has God said to you through this Bible verse? What has He revealed to us about Himself in it?

Looking forward to reading your comments. Be blessed until next time! 🙂

What I’m Not

Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man [woman] I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

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I’m amazed that one of the greatest Apostles of Jesus Christ wrote this. We often ascribe the biblical authors with some type of divinity they had, or we think somehow, they were exempt from life’s struggles. They always got it right while serving Christ. In Christendom, today, great people of God are ascribed by how “good” they are or how “good” they do, (even look–sadly).

The Apostle Paul was a theologian and the most influential figure of the Apostolic Age, who founded several churches in Asia Minor and Europe, defended faith in Jesus Christ, and produced for our learning and growth 13 or 14 New Testament books in the Bible. But, in this verse, he’s not sizing up his accomplishments and sharing how great he is or how great he is doing. No, Paul concludes this discourse with, “Oh wretched man that I am.” Merriam-Webster defines wretched as, “a miserable person: one who is profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune; a base, despicable, or vile person.” In all the Apostle Paul’s work for God’s kingdom, he comes to this realization about himself–he’s still struggling to do what’s right. He’s a mess! Have you ever said this about yourself? Do you see yourself in this way?

Paul’s statement is indicative of someone who had a revelation. He accepted, committed to, looked at, studied, and served Christ. Here, I think, he puts his own life decisions and ways up against it. He is stunned, bewildered, confused, troubled, and torn. “What can I do about this?” he thinks.

Sometimes, it is good to know what we really are not, considering who Jesus Christ is. We’re on the same playing field and have the same nature as Judas, who betrayed Jesus, Peter who denied him, or Thomas who doubted him and needed proof. We are capable of any of this. It’s good, as a Christian, to remember, that there still is a real struggle, a real war, a real battle going on while living in this flesh.

I’ve been called a really negative person for taking such a view. People have said I’m speaking in existence a negative outcome. I need more confidence in myself and may have self-esteem issues. I need to “come up” in my thinking. My faith should be stronger, and I should speak into existence and just claim the truth of God’s word.

Well, no, I think I’ll stick with Paul’s view. It really keeps me balanced and focused on Jesus Christ–all He is, all He has done, all I’m not, and all I haven’t done. I’m humbled by maintaining this awareness that my “flesh counts for nothing.” This is not a put-down friends; it’s a truth in the Bible. Claim this–that you will always need the Holy Spirit’s help. 🙂

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!