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 33:4
A person’s words are measured by the quality of his or her character. If your friends trust what you say, it is because they trust you. If you trust what God says, it is because you trust Him to be the God he claims to be. If you doubt His words, you doubt the integrity of God himself. If you believe God is truly God, then believe what He says!
-Life Application Study Bible (pg. 979)
2 Corinthians 8:24
When you tell someone, you love them, what’s the proof of your statement? How can others tell, whether or not your words are truth, or deception? We are living in a time, when words are easily thrown around, as if they hold no value. While many use words to deceive, and manipulate others, those who are true to God, and His word, are wise enough to not say things with deceitful intentions. What’s in a man’s heart, will be revealed more through his actions, not his words alone.
Psalm 15:1-2
“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”
*Judge your life, not by other’s opinion of you, but by your lifestyle, your works, and the words you speak. This is how God the Father will determine who will dwell in His holy hill.
Various Bible Passages
“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” – 1 Corinthians 14:20
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13
“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.” – Psalm 1:1
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,” – Titus 2:7
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” – Psalm 119:9
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.” – Psalm 37:23-26
Proverbs 25:18
Use your words to encourage. Use your words to edify. Use your words to lift men up, until their faith and confidence reach the sky. Speak to men politely. Speak to men with love. Speak to men in gentle tones, to satisfy the God above. Let the words from your lips bring healing. Let the words from your lips turn away wrath. Let the words from your lips refrain from talebearing, as you walk along the righteous path. Use not your words for boasting. Use not your words to shame. Use not your words to puff yourself up, or mislead others for shameful gain. Shout to God in victory! Shout to God in praise! Shout to God for all His goodness, because we who serve Him bear His name!
-Elliott D. Banks
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The past few years have been extremely devastating for many around the world, who have lost loved ones from the covid virus. I’ve personally felt the pain of losing someone close from covid, and it’s not an easy feeling to harness. People die daily, whether from sickness and disease, or other unexpected causes, but God is more concerned with a person’s spiritual wellbeing, than the actual way they leave this life. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Heb. 9:27). We will all exit from this life someday, and there are only two destinations every soul will be appointed to. Although there are many who disbelieve in heaven and hell, they will soon experience for themselves, the truth of the afterlife.
How are you living today, to ensure your future will be spent in eternity with God? Do you prepare yourself, as if your last day could be tomorrow? Or, do you attempt to live your “best life” now, while neglecting to solidify a future with God? I urge all who read this to take comfort in knowing, Jesus made it possible for all who come to Him, to avoid eternal damnation, and live in peace with the Father. While many have, and will continue to reject the message of salvation, those who endure until the end, will be rewarded, and their labor will not be in vain. Worry not about where you’ll spend eternity, if you’re walking in obedience to God, but woe unto all who turn a blind eye to truth, and follow after the pleasures of the world.
Psalm 106-107
When was the last time, you told God you love Him? When was the last time, you expressed gratefulness, simply for being alive? When was the last time, you hugged yourself? When was the last time, you considered how short life is? When was the last time, you treated yourself to something nice? When was the last time, you ignored your haters, and prayed for them instead? When was the last time, you stood your ground, in the midst of persecution and shame? When was the last time, you spoke highly of someone, other than yourself? When was the last time, you sat with an elderly person, and gleaned from their years of wisdom? When was the last time, you shared your wisdom with a child? When was the last time, you thought about men and women who are incarcerated, and felt a sense of sorrow? When was the last time, you visited someone who was sick, and in pain? When was the last time, you didn’t hesitate to give food, clothes, or money to the poor? When was the last time, you took a walk at night, gazed into the starlit sky, breathed in slowly, exhaled, then told God “thank you”? When was the last time, you looked around, and appreciated God’s creation? When was the last time, you brought comfort, to an uncomfortable situation? When was the last time, you actually meditated on the Word of God? When was the last time, your smile made someone’s day? When was the last time, you held your peace, even when you knew you were right? When was the last time, you helped someone grow closer to God? When was the last time, you held on to your faith, even when it seemed God had forgotten about you? When was the last time, you went on a fast (not a diet)? When was the last time, you shunned pride, for humility? When was the last time, your soft answer turned away someone’s wrath? When was the last time, your grievous words stirred up someone’s anger? When was the last time, you considered eternity? When was the last time, you made preparations for your eternal destination?
Luke 18
Jesus was a great teacher, during His time on the earth. Whenever He wanted to relay a message to someone, He would either speak in parables, or use plain speech. He never used tactics or manipulation to woo men with honeyed words, but spoke clear enough for them to understand His motives and intentions. The purpose of His teachings were to bring to light, the knowledge of His Father’s plan, and expose the darkness that roamed the earth, which had infiltrated the hearts of men. Also, Jesus proved that He cared more for men’s souls, rather than abusing His influence to gain wealth. Oftentimes, those who heard Jesus speak, would either be amazed by His words and desire more from Him, or offended by them and seek to kill Him. Either way, the Son of God came with a purpose, and every word He spoke was in direct relation to His Father’s plan.
Genesis 1:4-9, Amos 5:8-9
“And God said, Let there be…and it was so.” Those words alone, hold the utmost authority and power of all I’ve ever read in my life! To literally speak things into existence, deems one omnipotent, by default, despite what anyone says, in my opinion. As a kid, I tried time and time again, to call things from the sky, including money, candy, other things 80’s kids enjoyed during those days, but I assumed my voice wasn’t as strong as God’s, to call things into existence, because I was never able to make any of those things appear out of thin air. Obviously, my naivety got the best of me, but I soon gained a greater respect for the awesomeness of the power God operates in. In the beginning, God created, and set things in order with the power of His words. He divided light from darkness, placed the firmament of Heaven in the midst of the waters, and it divided the waters from the waters. God set the sun, moon, stars, and everything else in place, as they remain to this day. God created ecosystems in nature, times and seasons, and cycles, so that the earth and all its inhabitants, could be self-sustaining over time. The world in its “pre-tainted” state, was absolutely incredible! Ahh, if only I could have basked in the glory of such a pristine environment. God, in all His glory and awesomeness, still sits high and looks low upon this earth, awaiting the moment to gather His people together, and treat them to an eternity of peace, majesty, glory, and splendor in the new Heaven, and new earth. Will I see you there?
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17 KJV)
“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.” (Isaiah 66:22 KJV)
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” (Matthew 24:29-33 KJV)
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:10-13 KJV)
Walk in love,
Ell
Ell's Daily Inspirations 