Promises Fulfilled

Luke 5:12-13

“Lord, if thou wilt…
… make me clean
… remove my burden
… heal my blood issue
… revive my daughter
… heal my leprosy
… make me whole
… restore my soul
… avenge me of my adversary
… blot out my transgressions
… purge me with hyssop
… help my unbelief
… keep me safe
… guard my heart
… bless my soul
… grant me favor in thy sight
… give me a sign
… prove your love
… be my strong rock
… hear my prayer
… lift up my head
… fight for me
… shield me from mine enemies
… give me wisdom
… preserve my future
… lead me
… guide me
… direct my path
… teach me your ways
… bless my children
… guide the works of my hand
… humble me
… keep me as the apple of your eye
… hide me under the shadow of your wings
“…I will.”

Lighted Path

Proverbs 4

One of the hardest things for people to do is, find their way around in the dark. Whether someone wakes up in a dark room in hopes of reaching the rest room, or driving on a dark road with dim headlights, it’s very difficult to see the path to a destination without proper lighting to show the way. How many times have you stumped your toe while maneuvering to find a light switch, or veered off the the road until it eventually became more visible? Light does many things, but one of it’s most important functions is, to make things visible. Our text mentions two very profound verses concerning light and darkness, in reference to the way of the believer, contrasted with the unbeliever. “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (vs. 19). “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (vs. 18). Those who disregard the importance of the Gospel, and the necessity of God’s gift of salvation, are literally traversing the earth in darkness, or lacking the wisdom and knowledge of God’s written Word. All who refuse to accept Jesus as their Savior and the Son of God, allow their own thoughts and judgment to lead them. In fact, walking along the path of darkness only leads to an unpleasant end, and the lifestyle that precedes such an end is always unpleasant to God. Jesus is the light of the world, and the Word of God opens the eyes of those who lacked wisdom and understanding, then begins to shine a bright light on the righteous path, that all the children of God should follow. Evil men stumble over things in their darkness, but the righteous can avoid falling short of God’s glory, because the light that shines before them will reveal every ditch, trap, and stumbling block set before them.

Let God Lead

Psalm 43

🎵🎶 When I am afraid, I will trust in you,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you,
In God whose word I praise.
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you.
When I am afraid I will trust in you,
In God whose word I praise.
In God I trust, when I am afraid.
In God I trust, in God whose word I praise
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you,
I will trust in you.
When I am afraid I will trust in you,
In God whose word I praise.
I TRUST YOU LORD I REALLY DO 🎶🎵
-Song by Steve Green

Journeying through life will present moments when finding our way will appear dark and dim, but the only way to see the path of righteousness during times of darkness is, by trusting in God’s light, and His truth. The Word of God is the only way to safely navigate and traverse through these troubled times, so never lean to your own understanding. Instead, let God lead you in the way you should go.

We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.

Ell

The Whole Truth

Jeremiah 38:14-18

God knows all things, whereas men only see things in part. The Lord knows the end from the beginning, while man can only make assumptions based on limited knowledge. From those truths, I’d like to pose a question: Who do you trust more with your life, God, or man? When God spoke to, and through men in Scripture, His purpose was to direct them toward the most favorable path. God spoke to men like Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Joshua, and gave them words of inspiration and direction, that would only prove effective, if the people were willing to obey. When the people chose to obey, God blessed them richly and abundantly, but when they refused, they forced God’s hand to bring judgment upon them.

Our text gives a vivid example of such a lesson, when God gave word to the prophet Jeremiah, to advise king Zedekiah to surrender to Babylon, so that the city would not be burned, and he and his family would live. It’s not an easy thing to surrender to an enemy without putting forth a fight, but God knew that if king Zedekiah had confronted Babylon, he would have been slaughtered. As I afore mentioned, God knows all things, and He gave fair warning to the king, in order to preserve his life, and the lives of his people.

Do you listen, and take heed when God gives you warning, or do you have a tendency of following your own judgment? God can see beyond our thoughts and imaginations, and He left instructions (through the lives of biblical prophets and others in Scripture) that if followed, will keep us on the favorable path. God desires that all men come to repentance, and has no pleasure in seeing them perish, but the choice is ours; to take heed to His words and prosper, or ignore them and perish.

Keep your chin up… it’s easier to see Heaven that way,

Ell

The Lord will help you

Isaiah 41:8-13

The more I meditate on the Word, the better I understand the structure of God’s operations. I oftentimes mention that everyone God created, He made to serve a unique purpose. From the days of Adam until now, God has chosen many whom He deemed worthy to fulfill special assignments in the earth. The great and mighty God even went so far as to call some, His friends. What greater honor could be given to anyone than God calling them a friend. What does God consider you to be? One fellow whom God considered a friend was Jacob. Jacob’s purpose was predestined, even before birth. Although his character had a shaky and not so humble beginning, he proved to be a great pioneer of the faith, whom God used to do great things. God had recognized Israel as His chosen people, and Jacob as their leader. Their purpose was to serve as a beacon of light in the midst of a wicked and perverse world. God knew that those who didn’t understand His message, would reject it, as well as those who delivered it, so God encouraged His chosen people by mentioning to them, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (vs. 10).

It’s natural to be afraid of the unknown, but when God tells you everything will be alright, you can rest assured He’ll follow through on His promise. All the obstacles and challenges the children of Israel faced, when they fully committed their hearts to God, He always pulled them out to safety. Even in moments when the people turned away from God’s direction and trusted in other gods, He allowed them to suffer a little while; long enough for them to come to their senses and realize they will never be safe and prosperous outside of His leading.

God not only promised to preserve His Word, according to Psalm 12, but He also promised to preserve His people. Believers today are God’s chosen people as well, and the sheep of His pasture. Just as God’s chosen nation of Israel were made strong to stand against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, we require that same strength and power to stand firm as well. There’s absolutely no need for us to fear the enemy, nor his wicked devices, because our God promised that all who come against us will be put to shame, and they that strive, or quarrel against us shall perish. We make life harder on ourselves when we step outside of God’s will, and trust in our own understanding. These are the moments satan yearns for, so that he can inflict as much damage as he can to our hearts, minds, and souls, before we finally turn back to God broken and wounded. I advise all believers to stick to the structure God set in place to ensure your safety, protection, and prosperity. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh, be strong and very courageous, love your neighbor as yourself, seek peace and pursue it, in all your ways acknowledge God, and He will direct your paths. Be obedient to the Word of God, and trust in His power to keep you properly equipped to endure to a more perfect end.

Walk in love,

Ell

Blind guides confuse meaning of oaths

Matthew 23:16-22

When teaching others anything, it’s highly recommended that you know, in-depth, the topic you’re attempting to teach first. If I’ve never driven a car before, but I offer to teach someone else proper driving techniques, I’m almost certain anyone can assume how that first driving lesson will turn out.

When you lack the knowledge of a specific thing, sharing false information can mislead others, and cause them to become just as blind as you are. It’s one thing to be careless in your own endeavors, but pouring inaccurate information into the minds of others is dangerous.

We continue our studies in the book of Matthew where Jesus was coming down hard on the scribes and Pharisees. In this text, Jesus brought the hammer down on those who made false vows. The Pharisees stood firm on the belief that they were not responsible to pay vows sworn by the temple or the altar. To swear was simply to make a promise with an oath. They not only believed, but also taught these falsehoods to others.

But Jesus said that all vows were to be paid and that the temple was greater than part of its own material, and the altar was greater than the gifts laid upon it. The Pharisees were causing people to focus their attention on the material, and not the spiritual. God cares little about things, but lots for your soul. We bring gifts to God to show reverence and appreciation for who He is, but He doesn’t receive them until our hearts are first pure.

Many false teachers preach the “prosperity gospel” and blindly lead many into thinking that God will bless them, but not until they give. That’s total bologna! If God only blessed us after we gave an offering, then those who are poor, impoverished, and broke are well on their way to seasons of nothingness.

To all those who are in leadership positions, I urge you to study to show yourselves approved to God first, then share His goodness with others.

Seek peace,

Ell