Zacharias Blesses God for John’s ministry

Luke 1:67-79

Being filled with the Holy Ghost enables one to operate in a number of great gifts and abilities. For example, king Solomon was able to use the wisdom of God, to maintain one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the history of mankind. Another example is how the Apostle Paul was able to write a number of books in the Bible, while being influenced by the Holy Spirit. Under the Spirit of God, men have the ability to preach, teach, prophesy, heal, influence, and inspire the lives of many, while directing all glory to God. The purpose of God’s Spirit is, to keep our spirits aligned with what God wills for us to do, while we live to fulfill our purpose and assignment. While it’s true, we have the power to choose our own path, following any path that leads away from godliness is unwise, and not recommended.

In our text, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was also filled with the Holy Ghost, and he was enabled to prophesy a number of great things, concerning the will of God for His people, and the predestined path of his own son. When serving God, we must do it without fear, and in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life. Zacharias and Elisabeth lived in such a way, that God allowed them to bring forth a special son. John was purposed to be a great prophet; one who would go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, and to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins. Today, we have the same mandate, to tell the world about Jesus, but in order to be an effective witness for Christ, we should first have a solid relationship with God for ourselves. We are to be the light, that shines in the midst of all who walk in darkness, or lack the knowledge of our salvation. It’s in our godly nature to show compassion to all men, even in times when we are rejected. As you live day to day, make it your business to keep your light shining bright, so that those in their darkness can be exposed to the real truth that Jesus is the light of the world!

Walk in love,

Ell

John the Baptist born to Elisabeth

Luke 1:57-66

John the Baptist is an icon of the holy Scriptures. His life exemplified what true holiness really is, and he was the ordained forerunner of our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. John’s entire time on the earth, was spent sharing the goodness of the Lord, and striving to convince men that salvation was a priority. The great “baptizer”, John, would not have become the man he was, had he not been covered by strong, godly parents. Elisabeth, the cousin of Mary, and her husband, Zacharias the priest, were devout followers of God. According to the Bible, they were both righteous before God, and were blameless in walking according to all the commandments, and ordinances of the Lord. That’s an amazing testimony! Can it be said that you lived blameless before the Lord in your lifetime? I strive to daily, but…I’m still a work in progress lol.

To all who have small children, please, and pretty please, train them up in the fear of the Lord. Everyone has purpose, and reason for being alive, especially our babies. Parents are to be the primary examples of what holiness looks like, and their children should trust them enough, until their words settle in their hearts. Real love begins in the home, and if you love your children, you’ll prove it by living according to God’s way. Your example, and guidance, will help catapult them into their calling, while allowing God to work through them, even at a young age.

Walk in love,

Ell

Two houses firmly settled

1 Chronicles 17:1, 3-4, 11-14, 21:18, 21-27

When you purchased, or rented your first home or apartment, can you remember the feeling of excitement bubbling on the inside of you, as you contemplated all the ideas and plans you had in mind, to make your new place home? After days of decorating and setting things in place, many of you probably forgot to do the most important thing to truly make your house a home. God is the source of all things good, and even in purchasing a home, He requires that we consider His interest while doing so.

Owning a home is more than simply being in a secure place, where you can dwell in safety and peace, but it’s about dedicating your home to God, so that He can get glory from your place of residence as well. As believers, our homes should also mirror the respect and reverence shown in religious facilities. The same way we honor and respect God in the house of prayer, we should be even more mindful of His presence in our homes. Many problems that occur in the world, and even the church, stem from issues in the home. Children who are unruly, and misbehave consistently, usually can be connected to troubled homes as well.

If God is first in our lives, then His presence should inhabit every corner, of every room in the house. Fathers should always initiate prayer, and other spiritual habits in the home, and mothers should second the motions of fathers, without hesitation. Children are to obey their parents “in the Lord”, because it’s the right thing to do. We’re living in a day, where men have become something else, and mothers have to pick up the slack of both parents, but the God we serve, is able to sustain all those who are willing and obedient to His Word, despite their shortcomings and struggles.

Strive to keep God relevant in your home, as well as in your local church. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, then allow Him to order your steps, according to His Word.

Walk in love,

Ell

God regards the lowly

Psalm 138

One of the greatest character traits attributed to godliness that all believers should learn to master is, showing the same regard to all men. Whether you’re in the company of men of great stature, or those who may be destitute, the same love you’d show to those who are seemingly well off, should also be rendered to the ones who haven’t been dealt the best cards in life. God is no respecter of persons, and He allows the same benefits that believers take part in, to be shared by unbelievers as well. Whether men love God, or not, they can still reap the advantages of the beautiful sunshine, rain, and other natural wonders in God’s creation. “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly…” (vs. 6a). God loves all men the same (as should we), despite their allegiance to Him. Many who struggle in life aren’t always treated the best, and God is in favor of those who aren’t too haughty to show kindness, even if they’ll receive nothing in return. God watches how we treat those who may be poor and destitute, to determine whether our level of faith in Him, and endearing love that supposedly abides in our hearts, is on par with His expectations. “…but the proud he knoweth afar off.” (vs. 6b). When we can easily be kind to men who have wealth and platforms, while ignoring the poor, this proves that the love we claim to have is conditional and unstable, to say the least. It’s God’s will that no one dies in their sins, but that all come to repentance, so we must be mindful of how we treat everyone, because all are potential candidates to receive God’s free gift of salvation.

Walk in love,

Ell

God makes a house for David

1 Chronicles 17:7-10

In the same way God made promises to Abraham, to bless him and his seed forever, God also promised to bless king David, and to ordain a place for his people, where they could be planted, and kept safe from all harm and danger. One important fact people need to understand is, God doesn’t make promises as men do, who often forfeit their agreement by not upholding what was established initially, but when God says something, He always follows through. It’s up to the other party to keep to what they agreed to, in order to receive what was promised. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa 55:10-11). “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). Trust that God will make good on the promises He made to you. Continue to abide in God’s Word, and allow His Word to abide in you, so that you’ll be better situated to walk in obedience to His commands.

Walk in love,

Ell

God needs no house

2 Samuel 7:1-11

A few lessons ago, I mentioned the time when king David contemplated building a temple to house the presence of God, and this text is where the story of David’s desire to build a house for God can be found.

David was a great man; one who esteemed others over himself, and never took glory away from God. While celebrating during a festival (in the previous chapter), after placing the ark of the covenant in a new tabernacle, David’s wife, Michal, misjudged his worship to God, and bodily manifestations, as if he was representing himself in a vile manner. This was ironic, because David had returned home with the intentions to bless his family, but encountered the opposite from his ill-mannered wife. For some reason, Michal was always critical of David’s actions, so much until it caused her to be barren until her death. In her heart, she despised the very man whom God loved, and blessed abundantly.

I mentioned that brief summary of the end of chapter six, to bring to light how cool, calm, and collected David was, as He kept his focus on pleasing God, no matter who tried to hinder him. Many times we lose our composure, when others are critical of our relationship with God, but rather than change our praise to accommodate our haters, we should intensify it, in hopes that our fervent worship would possibly set them ablaze as well.

A while after putting his wife’s nonsense behind him, David pondered in his heart to build a house for God to dwell in. After gazing at the beautiful place he resided in, and wishing to build something greater for the Lord, God gave His servant a short lesson concerning His dwelling place. While his intentions were pure, God thought it best to teach David a short lesson by reminding him how He walked in a tent and tabernacle for hundreds of years, walked with Israel, never spoke of building a permanent house, took David from the sheep to be ruler over Israel, guided and protected David in all his adventures, cut off all his enemies, and made his name great! In other words, God put it simply, no place could hold all of His glory. While the tabernacle was the place where His presence was housed, God was never limited to that one location.

Aren’t you glad, the God we serve isn’t limited to time and space? Our God is awesome! He can do wondrous, and marvelous things! His love extends far beyond time itself! What makes Him even more special is, He lives inside of all who love Him. While king David was unable to build a house for God, you can invite Him to live inside your heart forever.

Walk in love,

Ell

Ornan’s land is site for temple

1 Chronicles 21:28-22:1

All around the world, you can find massive and majestic buildings, standing tall and firm. From the Sears Tower in Chicago, to the Leadenhall Building in London, what keeps such great edifices standing, are the solid foundations they rest upon. Without a firm foundation, no building would last, nor withstand severe weather. This same principle applies to our spirituality as well. The more firm and rooted we are in God, the longer we can withstand in this evil day, while continuing to build upon the kingdom of God. In our text, king David was assured that choosing to have God’s temple built on Ornan’s land would be ideal, because Ornan was a man of good character, and showed reverence for God. Can God use you to do great works in His name? Does your character, and behavior align with how Christ carried Himself on the earth? Invest more time in establishing a better relationship with God, so when He’s looking for someone to use, your name will be on the list of willing candidates.

Walk in love,

Ell

Solomon to build the temple

1 Chronicles 28:2-10

Have I mentioned lately how AWESOME the God of all creation is? I may have, once, or a thousand times 😊. God is good, and His mercy endures forever! He does all things decently, and in order. His standards are holiness, righteousness, and peace, and He expects all things done in His name to exude the same standard. Whether we minister, prophesy, sing, or exercise any other gift, it should always be done according to a holy standard, and with a perfect heart. While it may be hard, at times, to determine whether a man or woman renders a service to you with good intentions, God “searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts”. God knows when a man’s heart is really into what they do for Him, or if they’re doing it just because.

Continuing from the previous lesson, king David’s first charge to his son, Solomon, is revealed in this text. David was in no way shy about sharing to others his intentions to build a temple to house the ark of the convent. Although God appreciated the idea, He preferred it be done by one who had no blood on his hands. King David had an extensive history of experiences with God, and His amazing power, so he understood what it took to remain in God’s good grace, and desired to teach it to his son. In his own words, David said, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it” (vs. 9-10).

Any thought that comes to the mind, that will make God look good, He’s always in support of it. How often do you think of doing things where God’s name would be magnified? Are you too consumed into making your name great, until you fail to realize that all glory truly belongs to God? Practice putting more effort into building up God’s kingdom, and making His goodness known to those around you. Doing this will guarantee that God will shower you with favor, as long as you continue to seek Him, and not forsake Him.

Walk in love,

Ell

David cannot build the temple

1 Chronicles 22:6-13

In the body of Christ, every thought and idea that comes to one’s mind, isn’t intended to always be carried out by the same individual. Many times I’ve contemplated doing things that seemed good, but never felt as if I had God’s approval to carry them out. Later on in life, I discovered that God preferred someone else more capable of carrying out my ideas, to follow-through with them.

Our text highlights king David, who was a renowned man of war. Thousands upon thousands of men fell by his hand, and God witnessed him shed much blood upon the earth. When men heard tales of the great king David, they would remember his valiant acts during battle, and countless victories won, with the help of God the Father. Although king David was known for his years of bloodshed, there was a moment when he pondered in his heart to build God a temple, where His presence could dwell forever. Unfortunately for David, his good idea was not a God idea. Rather than have the temple built by the hands of a man who shed much blood, God preferred that it be constructed by someone of a more “restful” spirit. God knew the thoughts of king David, that he desired to build Him a temple, then intercepted those thoughts and mentioned to him, “Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight” (vs. 8). After hearing this word from the Lord, David could have easily turned hostile against it, but his humility and reverence for God allowed for him to accept that God preferred Solomon to be responsible for building the temple.

Do you get upset and bent out of shape, the moment your plans and ideas are accredited to someone else? Can you accept, and appreciate God for using your ideas through other people, without become bitter or envious? Not only did king David accept God’s word, but he decided to eliminate some of the hard tasks, including gathering all the supplies Solomon would need to construct such a great edifice. I can imagine a jealous person doing the total opposite. Rather than assist the one doing what they’ve always dreamed of, they’d probably step back, and let them do everything on their own, without offering any assistance, in hopes that they would fail. On the contrary, God wants us to follow king David’s example, by helping those whom God chooses you use, and not be a stumbling block, or distraction to their progress.

When your life is dedicated to God, and His love abides in your heart, you’ll never become jealous of anyone whom God selects to do great things for His kingdom. Instead, you’ll offer as much support as necessary, to see the plan through.

Walk in love,

Ell

God’s forever steadfast love

1 Chronicles 16:8-13, 28-36

In the United States, and other countries of the world, sports have become big business. Most major sports including basketball, baseball, and American football, pay their players an average of 4.9, 3.8, and 2 million dollars, respectively. Major sports also contribute to the revenue of the cities, states, or countries they represent. Of all the contributions that make sports successful, the most important are the fans. It’s amazing how some people take their fandom so seriously, until it seems to become sort of a religion to them. Some even invest thousands of dollars yearly to attend games, and purchase expensive meals and other items offered at stadiums. What’s most intriguing is, many fans yell, scream, and shout during games, until they have no voice, in support of their team’s success. At the end of every season, teams regroup, and fans anticipate the coming season, while preparing to continue in their unyielding support of their team.

I mentioned that brief description of how fans literally sell themselves to sports teams, that offer absolutely no real benefits to their lives, in order to compare and contrast it with how men should offer themselves to “team God”, who offers the best of the best benefits anyone could ask for. One particular line I use often is, “God cares nothing for sports”, because it does nothing to bring glory to His name, yet we’ve become accustomed to investing days of our lives into them, when our time could be spent singing, praising, and giving glory to the name of the Lord. Men aren’t thrilled today, as they were in the past, about offering worship to God, because there are countless distractions that keep their minds tuned into other things. But, God is still the same yesterday, today, and will be forever.

Too often we forget, we need God for everything! I won’t delve too deep into how much we need God, as I did in previous lessons, but I want to bring to light, the misguided, and misdirected praise we give to men, when all praise belongs to God.

If your life was put up on the big screen, and God went through all the many blessings He provided for you, how would you respond after viewing all that God revealed? Although our lives are nowhere near perfect, and we’ve all made decisions we wish we could take back, God never stopped loving, providing for, or protecting us our entire lives. Anyone over the age of 21, can think of at least 100 amazing things God did in their lives, so our response should be perpetual, fervent, and effective praise and worship to the God who is AWESOME, and will NEVER EVER EVER stop loving us!

Walk in love,

Ell