Israel’s salvation and commitment to God

Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Commitments made between two parties are dedications to a cause that restrict each party from acting on their own interests. There’s a responsibility that each side must adhere to, in order to keep faithful to certain obligations. Comments involve dedication, devotion, allegiance, loyalty, a measure of faith, fidelity, and attentiveness. When we commit to a thing, we are expected to follow-through with the commitment, until it’s completion. It’s unfortunate that commitments are broken daily, as men find themselves involved in binding agreements with dishonest, or manipulative people. Other commitments are broken, because some start out doing well, then lose faith later into the agreement. When we commit to God, He always keeps His promises, so long as we obey the commands He set forth. The children of Israel, in this text, had made an agreement to take God to be their God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, keep His commandments, keep His judgments, and obey His voice, and non other. As long as they were consistent in keeping their word, God promised to make them His peculiar people, set them as the highest nation on earth, cause other nations to praise them, make their name great, increase their honor, and make them His holy people. “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). It’s impossible for God to lie, and it’s also impossible for Him to break a promise, but when an agreement is made, His promise is dependent upon the people fulfilling their end of what was previously established.

Have you made any promises or commitments to God, and kept them? If you made promises to God but didn’t fulfill your words, do you think God is still obligated to bless you? Isn’t it wonderful to know that we now live under grace, and whether we break our promises to God or not, He’ll still bless us, as long as we repent and commit to doing better? Being born-again through Christ Jesus, believers are the righteousness of God. We are God’s peculiar people, and as our lights shine, God will elevate us above all men in the earth. This isn’t to make us arrogant or prideful, but so that the name of the Lord can be lifted up high above the earth. In turn, God will draw all men unto Himself, and we will be rewarded for our undiminished commitment to spreading the Gospel to all men.

Walk in love,

Ell

Paul’s solid credentials for ministry

2 Corinthians 11:21-30

If you were to question every person who ever lived, that served God with a fully committed and dedicated heart, how their journey was, I can guarantee, with 100 percent certainty, they’d tell you it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t God’s intentions for life to be hard for His most prized creation, but the repercussions of sin caused all sorts of things to fall out of alignment with God’s original plan. The devil hates mankind so much, because we have the opportunity to be in a position he once held, as a heavenly resident, but his eternal destination is set for the lake that burns with eternal fire, because of his pride, arrogance, disobedience, and rebellion against God. His sole desire is to keep as many people as he can from growing in the knowledge of God, so that they’ll miss the opportunity of spending an eternity with God, as he will.

Scripture tells us on many occasions, that suffering comes with a life of service to Christ, so it’s not a surprise that satan attacks the church as oft as he does. Those who suffer for Christ sake, will also be glorified with the resurrected Savior as well. One individual whom I know found this out first-hand is, the apostle Paul. Paul was unique, in that he saw life from two perspectives. He originally sided with those who persecuted the church, and sought to destroy all that the Saints stood for, until he had a personal encounter with the Savior, who changed his entire being. Paul went from willfully killing the children of God, to boldly defending them. His spiritual journey was one of intense persecution, humiliation, and shame, yet he persevered so that the truth of the Gospel of Christ could be spread throughout the land.

The text mentions many of the perils Paul encountered during his faith walk, some of which would have caused the average believer to throw in the towel, but Paul endured, because he knew the importance of staying in the will of God, so that the churches could grow, and the body of Christ would be strengthened daily. Paul placed God’s will before his own, and his life proved it. No matter what state he found himself in, whether in prison, shipwrecked, or being stoned, Paul allowed nothing to stop him from fulfilling his purpose in Kingdom business.

Have you given up on your spiritual assignment, because you ran into opposition? Did the ugly looks on other’s faces keep you from presenting God’s Word? When God sets you up on the righteous path, He’ll also prepare you for the inevitable opposition. Paul was strong in the faith, because he knew how he was persistent in his former life of evil acts. He decided to use that same passion and desire he once had, for the good of the body of Christ. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. God has everything you need to be effective in ministry. Don’t move on your own strength and wisdom, but trust in God, and He’ll help you as you go through seasons of suffering and persecution. “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (1 Peter 2:20).

Walk in love,

Ell

Commit to God’s love and justice

Hosea 12:2-6

Commitment can be defined as the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. When one commits fully to a thing, there’s a responsibility that must be upheld to render all focus and attention on the cause, while ignoring things contrary to what you’re committed to. People today are committed to many things. Even tonight, as I write, I hear the constant knocking at the door, as little kids are committed to trick or treating. Parents are committed to making sure their children find pleasure from a day that actually has demonic undertones. I didn’t plan to write about Halloween, but I already started, so I may as well continue.

First off, this isn’t a day Christians should support, because the purpose of Halloween is to celebrate evil. Although it’s fun to dress in disguise and collect treats, there’s much more to Halloween than many may realize. The history of the holiday goes back many, many years—and it’s even more wicked than you might think. Halloween goes all the way back to a pagan festival called Samhain. Samhain is a festival of the Dead. I’ll leave it there, and allow you the time to research the rest at your own convenience.

When you’re committed to God, you “decommit” from participating in wicked practices. Any event that involves celebrating the dead, and promoting witches and warlocks should be shunned by those who are in the body of Christ. But, many aren’t as committed to God as they say, because they submit to the pressures of the world, while participating in things that seem popular and harmless. What’s worse, is that innocent children get contaminated by evil, because of their parent’s refusal to reject the world, and the things in the world.

Commitment to God is a 3- part process. You must first, turn to Him. Can you remember a time when you got in trouble and was getting an earful from your mom or dad? As you looked away in sadness and guilt, those famous words you’d hear were, “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” God needs your full attention, so that you can get a better understanding of who He really is, in contrast to what the world offered. The next step is to keep mercy and judgment. Just as we are saved by grace, we must forever live in grace. No man who professes to be a born again Christian should ever walk in haughtiness. Once a man starts “smelling himself”, he’s soon bound for an embarrassing fall. It’s wise to treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. Always remember that you weren’t always that good little saint you are now. God delivered some of us from things we’d never reveal. So, make it a priority to walk in humility daily. The last step in committing to a perfect union with God, is to wait on Him continually. Telling someone to wait, in this microwave generation, almost sounds like a cuss word. Our society moves fast, and wants things done quickly, but patience truly is a virtue. Waiting on God to move in our lives reveals many things. It builds and strengthens our faith and character, while also exposing those who are for, and against us.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Commit your lives to God’s love and justice, then take time to pour what you gain into the hearts of those you love as well.

Seek peace,

Ell

Rebekah blessed for her commitment

Genesis 24:54b-61

Abraham trusted that after he gave an oath for Eliezer to carry out, all would be well with them. Trust is earned, and Abraham had long established a solid relationship with his servant. So after he sent him away to find Isaac’s bride, he had complete confidence that Eliezer would not let him down.

Every word that was spoken to Eliezer, he delivered to Rebekah’s family, after meeting her at the well. He explained how God had purposed for his master’s son to be wedded to a daughter of his own country, and kindred. The chief of the household, Laban, fully submitted to the words of the Lord by saying, “The thing proceedth from the Lord, we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.” In other words, if God said it, then we willfully obey. Hearing these words made Eliezer exceedingly joyful, as he immediately went into worship unto God. He then presented jewels of silver and gold, and fine clothing to Rebekah. Eliezer also gave precious things to Rebekah’s mother, as well as her brother. What a generous gesture after witnessing the manifestation of God’s word before your very eyes. What Eliezer had prayed, turned out for his good. When we receive an answer to our prayers, we should never forget to stop, and give God praise, worship, and sometimes, a generous offering.

After a night of fellowship, food, and drinks, Eliezer had his mind set to return to his master with Isaac’s bride, but for some strange reason, Rebekah’s brother and mother attempted to keep Rebekah behind for an additional ten days, and then they would allow her to go. Oh no they didn’t! That’s just like some people, who see your blessing, but try to keep you from grabbing hold of it. Watch out for those who purposely attempt to hinder your promises. Eliezer was not having it, at all! He said boldly, “Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.” Instead of allowing him to leave, they decided to call for Rebekah, to inquire of her own words. Little did they know, Rebekah was no fool, and a woman of strong faith as well. She believed every word spoken from Abraham’s servant, and would not allow anyone to stop her from walking in her purpose. Her mother and brother asked, “Will you go with this man?” She replied, “I will go.” What she really wanted to say was, “If ya’ll don’t get out of my way…” She was committed to fulfilling the purpose God had for her life.

Eliezer’s worship left a strong impression on Rebekah’s entire family, and she was willing to obey what was believed to be the will of God. We all have a purpose to fulfill, but there are many who will try to stop us from carrying it out. Stay rooted in the Word of God, and connect to strong believers who can help keep you encouraged to push pass all stumbling blocks in your way.

Seek peace,

Ell

Jesus criticizes unjust leaders

Matthew 23:1-8, 23-26

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved” (John 3:17). Had the Pharisees and other unjust leaders maintained a better understanding of this powerful verse in scripture, they would have taken the Mosaic laws more seriously. Instead of exercising pride, they would have operated in humility. Rather than showboating and praising themselves, they would have spent more time promoting the righteousness of God.

From then to now, times would have been more glorious for the church, if only the leaders were fully committed to obeying the will of the Father. Imagine how many people, made in God’s image, and after His likeness, could have contributed so much to the kingdom of God, if they were not led astray by false prophets and teachers.

To add to the list of corrupt dealings of the Pharisees I’ve been writing on for this entire week, they were also known to partake in matters of the law that required that they be seen doing, rather than the “weightier” matters of law including judgment, mercy, and faith. They made sure that they appeared holy and clean on the outside, but refused to purify the inward man.

Churches today are also harboring leaders who appear religious on the exterior, but the inward state of their hearts are full of evil. James advised believers not to be so eager to become teachers, because those who impart the word of God to others, will be judged more strictly than everyone else (James 3:1).

The only thing keeping false teachers so prominent in the world are the people who support them.

My advice for those who teach, preach, prophesy, or whatever they do for the Lord, make certain that your personal life is aligned to the will of God before you attempt to minister. Only then can you truly operate in the gifts and callings God has entrusted to you.

Be faithful, vigilant, sober, wise, selfless, humble, and always willing to move when God says so.

Seek peace,

Ell