Life is tough, but it gets easier to understand when we allow God to lead. Let His Word be a light that guides your path.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
“Before you commit, know who you’re with.” – Ell
Luke 8:1-3; Mark 15:40; John 20:10-18
As a non-Jew recording the words and works of Jesus’ life, Luke demonstrates a special sensitivity to other “outsiders” with whom Jesus came into contact. For instance, Luke records five events involving women that are not mentioned in the other Gospels. In first-century Jewish culture, women were usually treated as second-class citizens and had few of the rights men had. But Jesus crossed those barriers, and Luke showed the special care Jesus had for women. Jesus treated all people the with equal respect (Life Application Study Bible). The women mentioned in our text, proved their loyalty to Jesus, after being healed of evil spirits and infirmities. Not only were the aforementioned women loyal to Jesus, but Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Chuza (Herod’s steward), and Suzanna were few among many, who consistently supported the ministry of Jesus financially. Mary Magdalene was healed by the hand of Jesus, supported His ministry, was by His side all the way to the cross, and after His resurrection. Her loyalty was proven to be as solid as the love Jesus had shown to her and others, and she serves as a great example of how all who follow after Christ should live.
“Never judge what you don’t understand, because it could be an integral part of God’s divine plan.” – Ell
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
When a husband commits to a wife, he is literally committing all of himself, to join in union with the woman he loves. After his decision is made, there’s no room for him to consider, nor desire any other woman, because the one he found, should be all that he needs. When a child commits to a college or university, he or she has decided that all other options did not meet, nor satisfy the expectations they had set. As they matriculate through their years of education, they’ll eventually pledge themselves to the culture and environment of their school, and could possibly be seen sporting their schools athletic jerseys, or license plate covers.
When we commit to something, we literally give it all of us, and our intentions and motivations are usually in support of what we’re committed to. Are you fully committed to God, like for real for real? Does God have the attention of all your heart, all your soul, and all of your strength? When you decided to commit to the Father, did you turn away from everything that’s not conducive to His way of living?
When you choose to be on God’s team, you can’t give in to, nor support anything contrary to His gameplan. God is the creator of everything, so why would anyone choose to reject following after Him? If you’re still riding the fence on serving God and dabbling in things that are unhealthy for your soul, spend more time meditating on the Word, praying without ceasing, and focusing your attention on keeping your commitment to God solid. God is the real deal, and all else can’t compare, so when you give all of yourself to Him, you’ll be making the wisest decision ever.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold… don’t become one of them.
Ell
Deuteronomy 4:1-8, 12-13
Businesses today are non-stop, and companies seek to hire potential employees who are capable of maintaining and producing positive results, that will keep their profit margins at reasonable levels. The more flourishing, and well-developed businesses are usually upheld on the backs of workers committed to their cause, while those companies that experience fluctuations in productivity, work hard in dealing with high turnover rates. Before companies commit to those seeking employment, they thoroughly investigate each candidate, in order to make sure they’ll be a good fit for their business. Hiring individuals based only on a resume, can lead to potential issues, but talking to, and hearing the candidate in person helps to gain a better understanding of the face behind the resume. Commitment involves someone being dedicated to a cause, or activity. In addition, committing to something also obligates a person to do something as well.
When a man or woman dedicates their lives to services in God’s kingdom, they are expected to obey the rules which that kingdom is governed by. God is love, so those who are committed to Him, are expected to love, without question. God is always love, and love is always God, so there’s no excuse for anyone who claims to be in God, to ever refuse to love someone, no matter the case. God’s kingdom produces higher profit margins (converted souls), when those who serve Him consistently put actions behind their words. It’s in our obedience, where God is glorified, and He in turn blesses us for our obedience, by which His name is magnified through our blessed lives.
Obedience to God, allows for blessings that can never be obtained otherwise. According to Scripture, obedience brings long life, success, mercy and justice, answers to prayer, preservation from corruption through idolatry, an inheritance, prosperity, blessings to offspring, and many more! Saints aren’t obedient to God simply to receive blessings, but because He is worthy of our everything! God gives us the breath of life daily, even when we use it in ways that displease Him. Our obedience to God is the greatest way to prove that our confession, and profession that we’ve surrendered our hearts and wills to Him, are valid and true. Just as many are dedicated to the companies they are employed by, God expects His children to be fully committed to covenant obedience to His Word.
Walk in love,
Ell
Ezekiel 16:8-14
There are many people in life who enjoy the benefits of living in prosperity, some of which were born into wealth, whereas others started from nothing, but gained great increase by the works of their hands. It’s not a crime, nor sin to enjoy the finer things in life, but problems arise when we allow those things to cause us to shift our focus from the God who provided our increase, to entertaining ungodly influences. Even certain marriages encounter problems when one partner takes advantage of the other’s wealth and notoriety, while forgetting that they were once abused, misused, and struggling before God sent someone to make their lives better. Every now and then, a healthy reminder of where we came from, to where we are now is necessary to keep us humble, and free from falling into temptation.
God took Jerusalem as His bride, when they were cast away, naked, destitute, and dirty, then treated them as the best thing since sliced bread, by adorning them with endless love. God gave them life, caused them to grow up and become well-developed, washed away their blood and anointed them with perfumes and oil, decked them with precious jewels, and the list goes on. The extent of God’s love for His bride was endless, and He proved that love by providing for Jerusalem unlimited provision and protection, and only required faithfulness, trust, and devotion in return.
How would you conduct yourself, if you were approached by someone who was willing to be a loving, faithful, and devoted partner to you, who would cherish you to no end, but only asked that you treat them with the same love and respect in return? Well, Jesus is coming to take the church as His bride, and He expects us to be our best when He arrives. Christ offers everything we need, and will give it willingly, but we must prove that our love for Him is real. We prove this love through our daily living: How we treat our fellow man, whether we obey His commandments, or not, and fulfilling all the things He asked us to do until He returns. Just as a wife prepares mentally, emotionally, and physically to be the best for her husband, we too should ready ourselves to be received by Christ, when He returns.
Walk in love,
Ell
Mark 15:40-47
When God created man and woman, He made them wonderfully, but there’s something about a woman that makes them tick a bit different from the man. In my most humble opinion, when God formed the woman from Adam’s rib, I’m apt to believe that He pulled out some things the man can never get back. Women are driven by default. They see a need, fill that need, then search for opportunities to fill other needs. Women have a certain “sticktoitiveness” that pushes them to go after what their hearts desire, no matter what obstacles lie in wait. Proverbs 31 lists verses of things women are capable of, including the value of her worth, the virtue in her very being, and the amazing things she can do with just her hands and a vision. The average woman in business has proven over the years that she is just as capable to perform certain duties as a man, yet isn’t fairly compensated for it (that’s food for another lesson). I could go on forever listing the awesome attributes of the woman, including how they even live longer than men, partially because their immune systems age slower, but I want to focus your attention on the power in their “sticktoitiveness”. If you do enough global research, you’ll discover that women are actually responsible for keeping the world turning. Now don’t get it twisted, I’m not advocating for the female chauvinist movement, rather I’m taking a moment to set the stage to introduce some of the most loyal women in the history of creation.
Since the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He was usually accompanied by His twelve disciples, who were all men in training to carry on the Gospel message after He left the scene. The disciples were imbued with power that enabled them to heal sick people, cast out devils, and even raise those who had died, but in the very moment when their faith and loyalty was truly tested, they failed miserably. In the final moments, as Jesus breathed His last breaths, the ones who stuck close by His side until the end were, the women. The moment He needed His boys to have had His back, is when He realized that He could trust more in the women who followed His ministry, than the very ones responsible for taking over the reigns after His death. He even prophesied that they would scatter, so He was already prepared to face His mission alone. How would you feel if you were the quarterback of a football team that was about to play against the team that never lost a game, then your teammates all quit, but then the cheerleaders came on the field to play alongside you? That would be rather odd, but interesting nonetheless. There will be moments in our lives when the ones we least expect will give us more support than those in our close circles. God has a unique way of proving the loyalty of your friends by exposing what’s in their hearts through your own trials and testing.
During the entire crucifixion of Jesus, Mary Magdalene (the woman whom Jesus cast out seven demons), and Mary the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus, witnessed the entire event. They also were loyal followers of Jesus when He ministered in Galilee. Not only were these two women standing in support of their crucified Savior, but verse 41 reads that many other women also looked upon Jesus, as He laid down His life for the world. My question remains, where were the disciples, as Jesus suffered this great persecution? Where were those strong and courageous men, who were blessed with power, taught the ways of holiness, and equipped to stand against all evil? More than likely, they were in hiding, for fear of losing their lives, but Jesus taught them specifically in Matthew 16:25, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Sooo wouldn’t it be more appropriate for Jesus to be crucified with those who followed Him the closest? Although it would make for a heartfelt storybook ending to see Jesus crucified with His disciples, this was a mission Christ had to suffer alone, so that the disciples could establish His doctrine in the foundation of the church.
As you take up your cross and follow after Christ, expect so-called friends to fall away gradually, especially when the heat gets turned up to a great degree. Only through intense flames, is pure gold proven, so watch carefully who remains by your side in those hard and trying moments of your life. You may be surprised who’s left standing with you, so embrace them, and thank God for loyal and faithful friends.
Walk in love,
Ell
Mark 14:26-31
After discussing His final moments and future plans to the disciples at the last supper, Jesus took His trusted followers (excluding Judas, as he had been released to follow-through with his plan of betrayal) to give them a heads-up on the prophesied events that would soon take place in His life, and their own. Zechariah 13:7 reads, “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” Jesus told the disciples that He would soon be smitten, and they would all scatter, but the reaction the disciples gave proves how much trust they had in the words Jesus spoke. It’s easy to say with words you’ll stick up for someone you consider a friend, but God is not a man that He should lie, and if Jesus is God in the flesh, then He is incapable of speaking against the truth as well. So, hearing Jesus speak those words, should have made the disciples feel sorrowful, as their own words proved useless after that prophecy was eventually fulfilled. While they all repeated passionately that they would never leave Jesus’ side, no matter what, when the heat intensified, they all went ghost. Even Peter denied that he knew Christ three times, before the rooster had a chance to cockadoodle doo twice!
It’s so easy to say what you’d do in a certain situation, before actually experiencing it, but the difference is shown when your words are put to the test and proven. Jesus straight up told His boys they’d chicken out when the real fight started, but their pride and arrogance wouldn’t allow them to let Christ’s words penetrate deep into their hearts, for them to see that His words were indeed the truth, because He is the truth.
To those who profess holiness, does your life mirror the words you confess? To be a disciple of Jesus Christ means that you are humble, obedient, patient, have a teachable spirit, and you place God’s will over your own selfish desires. Fortunately for the disciples, they were granted another opportunity to redeem themselves and learn from their previous mistake. Make sure the words you speak are easily identified in the way you live, especially to those who claim to be followers of Christ, and don’t speak from pride and arrogance, as the disciples once did.
Walk in love,
Ell
Matthew 26:17-29
When facing a tough decision, a person usually forgets about others for a moment, while making attempts to gather their thoughts together. The heart rate increases, appetite goes away, and the body becomes jittery the closer the time comes to making that big decision. Unlike the average person who typically responds this way while contemplating making a hard choice, Jesus faced His tough decision with ease (at least in front of His disciples, and others. We know how He struggled a bit in the garden of Gethsemane, but God renewed His strength). Rather than cry, moan, or pout, Jesus thought it best to enjoy His final moments on earth, sharing the Passover with those whom He loved.
After following Christ’s specific instructions on how to prepare for, and where to keep the Passover, the disciples assembled together with Christ, to sit and eat. Table-talk during dinner time is often centered around conversations of joy, laughter, or current events, but the discussion that Jesus brought to the table was quite different. Jesus’ first words to His disciples were, “Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me” (vs. 21). Had the disciples been paying more attention to who was in their camp, they wouldn’t have responded by asking, “Lord, is it I”. Were they that unsure of their faith and belief in the man they followed and witnessed perform many miracles for three years? I can guarantee that after hearing that response, Jesus undoubtedly lowered and shook His head. Is the love that you share with others solid and sure, or does it waver at the slightest sign of opposition, as the disciples’? I would be embarrassed to call myself a disciple of Jesus Christ, then question whether or not I’d betray Him. Jesus proceeded to tell them who the eventual betrayer was, and added that it would have been better for that guy if he was never born. Saying these words only solidifies that fact that Judas was totally lost. Even today, there are some who are just as lost as Judas, and have already made up in their minds that they’ll never submit to the authority of God the Father. These individuals somehow have established a firm affinity to the things of the world, over the things of God, and are destined to spend their eternity in the absence of God’s everlasting love, grace, and glorious goodness.
Without causing much disturbance, nor distracting the men from enjoying the Lord’s Supper any further, Jesus blessed the bread (body of Christ), gave thanks for the wine (blood of the new covenant), then gave the men a promise that He’ll commune with them again in His Father’s Kingdom.
It almost seems unfair how Christ came here simply to die, so that a world of sinful men could live. Jesus’ life exuded the perfect example of humility. Not once did He falter or waver from the mission God sent Him to accomplish, and the reason He didn’t was, because He loves you more than anything! How can anyone turn away from such a love as Christ’s. His love is genuine. His love is unconditional. His love is everlasting. His love is real. His love is the only means by which your sins were forgiven. There’s neither a man, nor woman who can offer a love so true, that compares to the love Christ shared with the whole world. After you grow weary from testing love from other sources, give God a try, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Walk in love,
Ell
Matthew 1:18-25
One of the most consistent and reliable means of travel, that are typically tough to stop once they get going are, trains. There aren’t many things that can derail a moving train from its tracks, because the speed and motion at which they travel give way to very little resistance. Usually when a train is coming through, all else must to come to a halt. This is how Christians should live, in accordance with the Word of God. We should be so consistent in walking in the ways of Christ, until it’ll take great measures to even shake us a little off our holy tracks. Our spiritual journey will present us with moments where we’ll have to make tough decisions, but not one of those decisions should be made without seeking God’s wise counsel first. Think of how many Christian trains are choo choo’n along the wrong tracks, when God already showed us the path we’re supposed to take. God’s plans for His people are set for the purpose of spiritual edification, and kingdom building. As believers, the choices we make in life should always reflect the character of Christ. We may not hear God audibly as many did in ancient times, nor will we experience angelic prophecies in our dreams, but God’s Word is filled with enough of His instructions to help us, all the days of our lives.
Joseph and Mary lived righteous lives in the presence of the Lord, but Joseph’s seemingly perfect life was disrupted when he had to make an extremely tough decision. We discussed this issue in the previous lesson, but I reintroduce it, in order to reveal the importance of staying on track in God. Joseph was met with a tough choice to either expose his wife for cheating, or divorce her secretly. When God sets His train in motion, He’ll make sure no one stops it, even if it’s someone in your own family. In order for Joseph to accept that his wife was pregnant by the Holy Ghost, God had to intervene, and comfort him in a more personal way. What more convincing does one need after receiving words from Heaven above?
As real as the angel’s words were to Joseph in his dream, every word of scripture is real to us today. I constantly hear people criticizing the Holy Bible for being written by men with flaws. Although this is true in some cases, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Every word of scripture written was inspired by God, and His Spirit imparted wisdom into every man chosen to write what thus says the Lord.
As you toot toot along on your train to glory, be sure to maintain a steady, and consistent speed. Trust that God’s Word is the source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and allow it to penetrate deep in your heart and soul to keep you stable and grounded in love.
Seek peace,
Ell
Ell's Daily Inspirations 