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.
Psalm 136
For every image my eyes bring into focus… for every sound wave that beats against my eardrums… for every flavor that grazes my taste buds… for every scent that tickles my nostrils… for every texture my hands embrace… for every (good) thought that rests in my mind… for every (good) motive that settles in my heart… for every breath I inhale and exhale… I am grateful.
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
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” (vs. 11-12)
“Focus on your own business, and leave mine alone. Only then will you begin to understand where you belong.” -Ell
Various Scriptures
Oftentimes, we pray to God, seek His face, and hope for change in our lives, but we hardly see immediate results. Most of the time, all we have to do is, be who God called us to be, so that He can do what He promised to do for His people.
Love the Lord… and he will preserve you.
-Psalm 31:23
Be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart…
-Psalm 31:24
Delight in the LORD, and will give you the desires of your heart.
-Psalm 37:4
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land.
-Psalm 37:34
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
-Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
-Matthew 5:3-11
In your daily living, be who you were called to be, so that God can do what He promised He would do.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” If the people who claim they are the children of God, would stop acting all high and mighty, sit their butts down somewhere, turn their bragging, boasting, and complaining into actual prayer to God, diligently strive to live holy, disconnect from all things contrary to holiness, then will God turn His attention to their situations, and forgive their sins, and release the blessings He had stored for them from the beginning (Ell’s translation).
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
The time between the day you were born, and the day you cross over into eternity, is invaluable, yet limited. Therefore, every moment spent in this life, should be focused on doing things relevant to eternal matters. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
“Tick tock, your life is on the clock.” – Ell
1 Peter 3:8-19
The men and women who make up the body of Christ in these last days, aren’t all on the same page. We are living in a time, when many false doctrines have infiltrated congregations around the globe, causing some to hold fast to the traditions of men, rather than the commandments of God the Father. The apostle Peter teaches in our text, we are all to be of one mind, as we fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. Unity is essential in keeping the body of Christ together, and allowing each member to effectively use their gifts for edification, but where division is present, confusion has the ability to keep many from being their best for God. Not only are the members of Christ’s body commanded to be of one mind, but being meet for the Master’s use also demands that we walk in humility, show compassion toward others, and be willing to extend encouragement to all who need it. When a person’s foundation is built on godly principles and standards, they’ll easily render good for evil, or blessing for persecution. The church today loses its influence on the lost, the more they give in to false doctrine, which causes division. But, when the Lord is once again sanctified in the hearts of men, only then can they truly submit themselves to the truth of God’s word, and easily recognize anything that is contrary to what the Father commanded them to do.
1 Samuel 9:1-10
Do you ever wish sometimes, God could show you the purpose for your life plainly? I often wonder why things happen the way they do, but over time, the reasons are eventually revealed. While God could lay out a direct order for our lives, we must stay true to His Word, as His will for each individual is revealed daily. An example of this was evident in our text. God placed judges to rule and govern over His people, but they desired to be as other nations who were ruled by kings. While God’s way was indeed efficient, He would allow the ungrateful Israelites to receive a king. The man God set aside to be Israel’s first king, had no clue of what he would soon walk into, as he lived a normal life in obedience to his father, who was considered a mighty man of power. For some strange reason, Saul’s father’s asses had gone missing. This was odd, because livestock were usually kept under careful watch during these times. Saul’s father told him to take a servant, and search for the missing asses. While Saul was busy conducting his search, God had already told the prophet Samuel the day before, to be ready to meet, and anoint the young Saul as captain over the people of Israel. It’s amazing how God can see the end of a matter, before we even receive instruction on how to do our part. God knows all, and has prepared a way for every person to fulfill His purpose, but we must follow His instruction, so that we can always connect to those whom He placed on our path, to take us to the next level.
Jonah
Has there ever been a time in your life, when you hoped (and even prayed) for God to allow someone to remain in wickedness, and never come to their rescue? It would have pleased you so much, to see the person you despised, die in the midst of their unhealthy lifestyle, and you wouldn’t have lost a second of sleep after. If God told you to go to that person, and tell them He would soon deliver them from their struggle, clean them up, and set them on a better path in life, would you hesitate to deliver His message? Despite the history you may have had with someone who probably rubbed you the wrong way, when God sends you, you must go, or negative and even life-threatening consequences could follow. This was the case with the prophet Jonah, in our text.
Jonah was receptive to God the Father, and could hear clearly when He brought words to him, but, when God gave a word to him that would help those he so dreadfully loathed, the once reliable prophet chose rather to hide himself from the presence of the Lord (as if he could), and set sail in the opposite direction. The story of Jonah is an interesting one, as it reveals how the heart of a man can change quickly, especially after a life and death encounter. The same heart that could change from stone to flesh, could also revert back to stone in a moment’s notice. Oh how fickle are the ways of man.
Jonah grew up hating the people of Ninevah, so much to the point he did not want God to show them mercy. While trying to run from God’s assignment, Jonah caused innocent men to lose their valuables, when throwing them overboard, as God allowed a great storm to disturb the sea, while he hid on a ship. Whether we notice it or not, when we resist God, we affect the lives of others, and cause harm to those who had nothing to do with our disobedience. Jonah revealed to the men, he was the cause of the storm, and knew that he must be thrown overboard, so the storm would cease.
Long story short, God prepared a great fish (whale) to swallow Jonah, and allow him a moment of reconsideration. Not only did Jonah change his thoughts while descending into the depths of the sea, some say he literally died, signifying the events of the coming Savior. In any case, Jonah was in no position to bargain with God, so he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving, God caused the whale to vomit him on dry land, then he turned a three day trip to Nineveh, into one day (not sure if he ran, or was on horseback).
So, Jonah finally fulfilled his mission, and did as God commanded him to. After bringing a life-saving word to the people of Ninevah, their reception of the message was taken very seriously. When the king of Ninevah heard the word, he proclaimed for all the people (and animals) to fast, and reverence the God of Heaven, seeking remission of their sins. Once again, when we refuse to obey the Lord, we could potentially cause whole cities to be destroyed. Knowing this, when God speaks to you (whether through the Holy Scriptures, or the spirit of your mind, by His Spirit) take heed, and don’t delay, because hesitation could be detrimental to yourself, and those you were sent to help.
Ezekiel 18
1 The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?
3 As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.
10 If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,
11 And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour’s wife,
12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
14 Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour’s wife,
16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
“What a just, patient, and equitable God we serve!” – Ell
Ell's Daily Inspirations 