Christianity is Transparent

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JESUS SPEAKING

The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” (John 18: 19 – 21)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

After His arrest, the high priest began questioning Jesus about His doctrine. He responded by proclaiming that His teachings were never secret; but rather, He preached openly so everyone could hear Him and ask questions. The purity of truth requires no concealment, nor is there any sort of hidden knowledge required for Christianity. Unlike Christ, there have been many false prophets throughout history who have professed Godly authority, but were required to conceal their beliefs or activities because they were evil.

In the 1800s a false prophet named Joseph Smith founded Mormonism. Because he could not control his fleshly lusts he cheated on his first wife Emma, but then afterwards claimed that God had given him a revelation that polygamy (having multiple wives) was ordained by God. And so knowing this would be seen as universally evil by those of any respectable Christian religion, he kept this doctrine secret. For many years, he and his cohorts married multiple women, even consummating marriages with other men’s wives. Joseph and his followers were eventually run out of the state of Missouri, but then moved to Illinois and settled in a town called Nauvoo. Despite his best efforts, his secrets were again uncovered. When the local printing press began running stories pertaining to his polygamous doctrines, he once again attempted to conceal his sins by having the printing press destroyed. Shortly after his arrest, he was killed in jail. Unlike Joseph Smith and other false prophets, Jesus Christ was without sin, and therefore had nothing to conceal. Instead he spoke the gospel truth openly; even allowing others to examine and question Him.

The truth of Christianity is transparent and has never been hidden. There are no secret doctrines or clandestine practices required to follow Jesus Christ. Instead, the gospel is very simple and devoid of human corruption. If we look to Christ alone as our teacher, we can avoid false prophets, embrace transparency, and never stray from what is right. May we all walk in that truth.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to draw nearer to you, and to grow in our faith. May we never be persuaded by false prophets who twist the truth to conceal their lies. But rather, give us the strength to remain committed to the gospel as we spread Your message to those who are in need of hope. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Forgiving Others

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JESUS SPEAKING

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11: 25) In Matthew 18: 21 – 25, we read, ‘Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’”

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Peter asks Jesus what the limits of forgiveness are; initially expressing his belief in the sufficiency of seven times per day. However, the Lord quickly corrects him. Jesus uses an exaggerated number of 70 times 7, to emphasize the inexhaustible nature of forgiveness, as it pertains to repentant souls. By implication, Christ also vilifies the harboring of any resentments. Resentment is defined as, any persisting anger or indignation experienced as the result of another individual’s harmful, unfair, or detrimental treatment. Resentment is a destructive, selfish emotion that causes harm to those who refuse to forgive others absolutely.

As the story goes, on a prominent boulevard in Chicago there once stood for many years a fence eighteen feet high; erected by a woman who imagined her neighbor was peering into her windows. While it effectively cut off the in-look, it shut the sunshine out of her own yard, ruined the lawn, and cast a shadow upon the house. In a similar fashion, spite and resentment cast the heaviest shadows over the hearts that harbor them; shutting out the sunshine of life and the fullness of God’s peace.

Harboring hatred and resentment toward others separates us from God and produces destruction in our hearts and minds. If we have received God’s forgiveness, then entertaining spite and unforgiveness against others is unjust, hypocritical, and quite dangerous. Grace has been given, and grace, through us, must continue. As a practical matter, praying daily for those who have harmed us is extremely beneficial. By means of this mechanism, we are able to see our enemies as fallen individuals, in desperate need of a savior.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before you as broken people; individuals who, aside from your grace, would be imprisoned in sin. If we are currently harboring any resentment toward others, make it known to us; and give us the strength, the courage, and the will to let go of our anger. Through forgiveness, may we continue to reach our enemies with the gospel message and serve our fellows without pride or selfish ambition. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Being Interruptible

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JESUS SPEAKING

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.'” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly, do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10: 25 – 37)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this parable, there are three men journeying toward their individual destinations. Despite passing by a man in desperate need, only one traveler chooses to stop and render critical assistance. That man alone put his plans on hold; rightly deciding to prioritize the preservation of human life above his other commitments. He was willing to be interruptible and to alter his plans when God needed him to accomplish a given task. This willingness to obey God’s will (or to do what’s right) at any time is a fundamental Christian principle.

While driving with my son recently, we passed by an individual begging for money on the sidewalk. She was an older woman, and although she seemed destitute, she didn’t appear to me to be addicted to drugs or alcohol. (I normally refrain from giving money to drug addicts as it only enables their self-destructive behaviors.) As we drove past, I mentioned to my son that we should’ve stopped. He remained unconvinced, and expressed his desire to simply return home. And yet deep in my heart I felt convicted. So we abruptly altered our course. After returning, my son handed her some cash and we moved on. I was willing to interrupt my plans to accomplish what I perceived to be God’s will.

Those who follow God must also be capable of altering their plans to perform whatever task God requires at any given moment. Being interruptible when God’s calling is obvious makes every genuine servant more useful. May we rightly respond to each of the Lord’s divine appointments, as we eagerly accept and embrace His will.

“Lord Heavenly Father, you truly are an amazing God. May we be filled with Your Holy Spirit, as we offer ourselves in service to Your kingdom. May we remain interruptible, available, and ready to accomplish whatever task You require of us. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Power of Fellowship

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JESUS SPEAKING

     “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 19-20)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     The word ‘Amen,’ so commonly spoken at the end of most prayers, essentially means ‘I agree.’ Like so many Christian practices, prayer is meant to be exercised in community, as well as in solitude. In order to have a complete relationship with God, we must share Him with others. When two or more gather together to celebrate Christ, His Spirit is made manifest in their hearts; the feeble become strong and the empty are made full. An isolated Christian will eventually grow weak and become more vulnerable to attack.
     Some time ago, I regularly answered the prayer lines at my local church. After gaining some experience, I was able to make some profound observations. Those who were not involved in a church fellowship, or a small group bible study, suffered great difficulties. Many isolators were addicted to drugs or struggling with some other terrible sin; most of these detached souls were stuck in a continual state of crisis. On the contrary, those who expressed a spirit of joy were actively involved in service work; they usually attended a small group fellowship also; and they maintained close friendships with other followers.
     As believers we need to be involved in some form of Christian fellowship. Our experience with Christ must be exercised in community, rather than complete isolation. If you are not actively involved in a fellowship with other believers, find a church near you and get plugged into the body of Christ. Endeavor to make friends with other followers and pray with them regularly; become a part of God’s family and be renewed by the Holy Spirit. Without fellowship, we cannot know the fullness of God’s power in our lives.
     “Lord heavenly Father, we come before You as members of Your body and ask for more of Your Holy Spirit. We desire to continue in fellowship with our eternal brothers and sisters. May we draw near to one another as we all draw near to You. If we have isolated ourselves, give us opportunities to fellowship with others, that we might grow stronger. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Power of Scripture

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JESUS SPEAKING

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was Hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4: 1 – 4)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

When Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness, He rebuked Satan by saying “It is written.” He then quoted an old testament scripture; a verse which exemplifies the power of God’s word. Following Christ’s example we are taught to examine the scriptures and use them as a tool to drive out confusion and discern what is right.

Concerning confusion, there is a frightening state of mind that pilots can experience while flying in low visibility. This condition is called spacial disorientation. When a heavy fog creates blindness during a flight, the absence of visual landmarks can cause a cascading spiral of fear and doubt. Many will experience instinctive feelings that seem right but are incorrect. Some pilots will feel as though the plane is flying downward; others will think it’s spinning; some will even express concern that the airplane is inverted. In any event, during spacial disorientation, when the pilots trust their instincts and attempt to correct course they often crash. So what are pilots trained to do when this situation occurs? Simply put, they are reminded to examine their gauges, which are almost always accurate. The airplanes attitude screen and the altimeter usually don’t lie. They are steady instruments that can be trusted when a pilot is disoriented.

Like pilots who must trust their instruments during disorientation, the word of God is a tool for Christians to discern what is right in any given situation. The Scriptures are God’s unbroken truth; and they can always reveal Satan’s lies and drive away any confusion. May we cling to God’s word in times of trouble and fear.

“Lord Heavenly Father, thank you for providing us with Your holy scriptures. They are a great light that directs us in times of darkness. As we face temptation, may we use Your words as a weapon against the lies of the enemy. Guard our hearts and minds. We praise You, we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s amen. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Pray With Expectancy

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JESUS SPEAKING

    “Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11: 22 – 24.)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

    ‘Faith’ is defined as a strong belief or trust in God’s abilities.  Only He can move mountains, heal the sick, and raise the dead.  Jesus therefore urged every follower to pray with a measure of expectancy.  We must truly believe that God is able to provide for each of our individual needs.  When we ask in faith, according to God’s will, and do not doubt, we can rightly expect to receive the desires of our heart.

    Hudson Taylor was a prominent missionary who lived in the 1800’s.  He established the China Inland Mission, an organization that still exists to this day (also known as the OMF.)  During his first journey to China, his ship hit a patch of windless ocean and began drifting uncontrollably toward an island known to be inhabited by vicious cannibals.  The frantic captain approached Mr. Taylor and asked him to pray for God’s help.  “I will” said Taylor, “Provided you set your sails to catch the breeze.”  The captain refused; not wanting to appear silly for unfurling in a dead calm.  Taylor responded by saying, “I will not undertake to pray for this vessel unless you will prepare the sails.”  The captain reluctantly obliged.  Soon there was a knock at Hudson’s door; “Who’s there?”  “Are you still praying for wind,” inquired the captain?  “Yes” responded Taylor.  “Well” added the skipper, “you’d better stop praying, we have more wind than we can manage.”

   As a genuine believer, Hudson Taylor understood the principle of praying with expectancy.  He prayed with confidence; knowing full well that God would answer his prayers.  If we pray with that same measure of faith, we too will receive the blessings of the Lord.  May our hearts be devoid of doubt; may our requests be brave and bold; and may we fully expect our prayers to be answered according to God’s will, and to the measure of our faith.

    “Lord Heavenly Father, You are an amazing and mighty God.  Create in us faithful hearts; hearts that are devoid of doubt; hearts that fully trust in Your ability to provide for our needs.  May we always pray with confidence, unwavering faith, and genuine expectancy.  We love You Father, we praise You, and thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”  God bless all of you!

Moving Forward

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JESUS SPEAKING

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to Him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 57 – 62)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this scripture, at least two men who were called to follow Christ responded by making requests that prioritized their old lives ahead of their new lives. Using a plowing metaphor, Jesus encourages them to abandon the past and shift their eyes toward the future (although the present is still important.) All Christians are called to look forward, and to prioritize the work of spreading the gospel message above everything else.

I recently discovered that squirrels are nearly impervious to falling injuries from any height. They are uniquely designed by God to land on their feet, no matter what direction they are facing when dropped. If disoriented in the air, the first thing a squirrel does is turn its head toward a single spot on the ground; faithfully locking onto that target. Their heads will no longer turn, as they become immune to distraction. After their eyes are focused into position, they will rotate the rest of their bodies around in mid air to align with their heads prior to landing on their feet.

Like squirrels, those who are reborn must lock their eyes onto a singular target; a future and present place that requires them to maintain discipline and focus. Once this gaze is established, the rest of a person’s existence will reorient itself into the proper position. The result is a life dedicated to God and a commitment to spreading the gospel message. May we all remain focused on our mission and avoid any distractions.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for all of Your wonderful blessings. May we remain focused on the living and not the dead; and on the future rather than the past. May we embrace our calling and serve You in whatever ministry You have called us to. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

What is Truly Valuable

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6: 19 – 21)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Simply put, Jesus is instructing His followers to seek after the things that are truly valuable. Expensive possessions fade away and money disappears, but the love we show toward others is eternal. Christianity is therefore less focused on things and far more focused on people; seeking out the lost and caring for those we might encounter.

Interestingly enough, death has a remarkable way of revealing what is truly valuable in life. Those who are approaching death, whether from old age or some disease, are often forced to look back upon their lives in a meaningful manner. They are quick to discover what was actually valuable and what wasn’t. No one on their death bed, except a delusional person, will ever say, ‘Boy I wish I had made more money,’ or ‘I’m angry because I didn’t get that promotion.’ No, instead they express regret for not spending enough time with their wives, their children, or even their closest friends and relatives. Some are even driven to make amends for the harms they have caused others.

Over the course of a lifetime, some will acquire many possessions, and yet people are far more important. The love we show toward others is eternal; a treasure that will never fade away; kept for us in heaven. May we avoid useless distractions and selfish endeavors; and instead remain focused on loving God and our fellows.

“Lord Heavenly Father, reveal to our hearts what is truly valuable in this life. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, may we put people ahead of possessions and always strive to love others. May all of our works be a reflection of Your goodness. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Sanctification

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JESUS SPEAKING

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15: 1 – 5)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus uses an agricultural illustration known as pruning to explain the biblical process referred to as sanctification. Pruning is the practice of cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems to promote healthier and more fruitful plant growth. Similarly, sanctification entails removing any decaying or unproductive practices from our lives. After making an initial decision to repent and to embrace the faith, we are then grafted into Jesus Christ (the vine through which all of our spiritual nourishment is delivered.) Over the course of many weeks, months, and even years, God prunes us; trimming away the remaining segments of our existence that are unfruitful.

This process of sanctification is remarkably similar to the purification of precious metals. Within a refinery, the raw materials are placed into a kiln and heated until they melt. The dross, or worthless impurities combine with flux and separate from the metal; these impure metals, known as slag, rise to the surface; this thin layer is then skimmed off, leaving the purified metal beneath. Without this continuous process of heating, melting, and skimming, purification could never occur. As additional impurities are removed from the molten ore, a more precise reflection of the metal worker appears in the smooth, pure, surface beneath. We too are being sanctified each day; an ongoing process of purification that causes God’s reflection to become clearer in our lives, and more apparent to those around us.

When we repent and believe in Christ, our lives are immediately transformed. And yet, although we’ve been reborn, we must also undergo a process of sanctification. Over time, the thorns and dead branches that prevent us from being a precise reflection of God are removed. As the Vinedresser, the Lord is the one who accomplishes this pruning. Only He has the power to mold us into the image of His Son. May we lay down our own selfish wants and desires to be transformed by God, that we might become even more fruitful.

“Lord Heavenly Father, continue pruning us every day. Trim away the dead and unfruitful portions of our lives, that we might more efficiently spread the Gospel to others. May we relinquish control and allow You to transform our hearts and minds. Give us the courage to step out in faith and be bold; that we might produce much fruit for You. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” God bless all of you!

Gratitude and Devotion

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JESUS SPEAKING

   Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So, when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was, that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So, Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Matthew 17: 11 – 19)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Leprosy was a highly contagious disease that condemned the infected to live in isolation and despair. As a group of ten lepers stood afar off, they begged Jesus to heal them. In response, He sent them to the priests to be examined and considered fit to rejoin society. As they journeyed they were healed. Although all ten had been restored, only one man returned to praise and honor Jesus; revealing that he alone had undergone an inward transformation as well.

Concerning gratitude, there is another account in the gospels of a man named ‘Bartimaeus.’ From what we know, he was a blind beggar who, upon hearing that Jesus was near, cried out to Him. Having been called forward, he begged Jesus to restore his vision. Jesus responded saying, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” He was immediately healed and received his sight. Overwhelmed with gratitude and joy he began following Jesus along the road.

Those who have been healed and transformed by God will return to honor Him with gratitude and thanksgiving. Genuine faith will also produce a devotion to following Jesus wherever He leads. Practically, we can honor Him through our praise, worship, and expressions of thankfulness. By means of His power may we always hold Him close.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we are eternally grateful for Your healing and restoration. May we be filled with joy overflowing, as we praise and honor You in all things. Give us the strength to follow You wherever it is You are leading us. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Being Liked

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JESUS SPEAKING

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15: 18 – 20)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

The desire to be liked is a powerful human instinct which can often interfere with honest evangelism. Although we are called to accomplish good works and to love others, our kind deeds must also include the gospel message. The gospel is a wonderful gift to mankind, and yet it is also divisive, exclusionary, and confrontational. For instance, Jesus is the only way to God; thus revealing that all other religions are false. Also, refusing to accept the faith will result in eternal punishment. For these reasons alone, any messenger of the gospel will be hated by many.

I was recently summoned to the bedside of a woman dying of cancer. Despite numerous years of defiance, in that moment she received Jesus Christ and was baptized with a wet washcloth. She died the next day. Shortly thereafter, I was asked to speak at her funeral; which I agreed to do. Upon arriving at the home for the ceremony, I began casually speaking with her relatives, friends and acquaintances. Most of them were very pleasant; shaking my hand and treating me with a measure of affection. They were open and expressive; they genuinely seemed to like me. When it came time to speak I didn’t hold back. I described how this woman had gotten saved, and that she wasn’t dead, but alive in Christ. I then presented everyone in attendance with the gospel message. I explained how they too needed to receive Christ and be reborn if they were to have a future with her in God’s kingdom. I then announced that after the service I would be available for anyone who desired to receive Christ as she had done. I informed them that I had bibles to hand out to whomever might want one. After the service concluded, the room became remarkably silent. Most refrained from making eye contact with me. No one approached me to inquire about being saved, and their previous affections for me had vanished; their warmth had turned cold (with several exceptions.) I lingered for a while, speaking with individuals here and there; I was even able to hand out a few bibles. Still, this cold reaction wasn’t entirely unexpected. If I had possessed an overwhelming desire to be liked, I could have easily altered the message; making it more palatable and less convicting. But then it would have become something other than the gospel truth.

As we journey through this life we must maintain our commitment to preaching the gospel; unaltered and unchanged. The message is not ours, but God’s alone. We are not the authors of truth; but rather, we are charged with delivering it to others. May we never allow our desire to be liked to interfere with our allegiance to Christ, and our commitment to the truth.

“Lord Heavenly Father, give us the strength and courage to spread Your message of salvation to all those who are walking in darkness. May we remain committed to preaching the whole gospel. Grant us strength in times of persecution and unrest; that our affections for You may remain steadfast. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Thirsty

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JESUS SPEAKING

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7: 37 – 39)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Within every human being there is a void that only God can fill. All those who thirst for the truth are drawn to Christ, and the Holy Spirit is poured out into the hearts of those who believe. We read that out of them, “will flow rivers of living water.” Once the heart is full, the Spirit will continue to overflow and pour into the hearts of others. Thus being filled is not enough, we must also overflow.

Recently, at a bible study a man discussed his fear of eventually becoming stagnant in his faith. I responded by explaining how to avoid stagnation. I told him that the Dead Sea in Israel is dead because it has no outlet. The Jordan river flows into the Dead Sea; a body of water positioned at one of the lowest elevations on earth. With no outlets, the water can only escape through evaporation; leaving behind salt, which has accumulated over time. This contamination has rendered the sea unfit for most living creatures. Without any overflow, there is only death.

Unlike the Dead Sea, the Holy Spirit spills into the hearts of those who believe, but it doesn’t remain stagnant. Instead, it overflows, pouring outward into the lives of others. We are therefore vessels through which the Holy Spirit can move. May we offer ourselves to Your service Lord, as You draw in all those who are thirsty.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to be used to accomplish Your will. Fill us to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit, that others may come to know Your salvation through faith. You Truly are an awesome and amazing God. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Mimicking God

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” (John 5: 19 – 23)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this scripture, Jesus proclaims that whatever He sees the Father doing, He also does, “in like manner.” Thus His life is a perfect reflection of God’s will in every situation. Those who desire to accomplish God’s will more perfectly, must seek to implement Christ’s teachings and to mimic His behaviors.

Although being a parent is a blessing, it is certainly not without difficulty. As parents we are tasked with teaching our children how to behave. Despite everything we might communicate to our children through words, they will inevitably learn more from observing our behaviors than they will from any book, television show, or video. And so if we want our children to grow up as Christians, we too must mimic Jesus Christ. When we live and walk as believers, our children will also.

As the only Son of God, Jesus never once sinned; nor did He succumb to any temptation; but rather, He accomplished God’s perfect will in every situation. Whatever He saw God doing, He also did Himself. Our duty today as Christians is to mimic Christ and to implement His teachings in every area of our lives. And if we do have children, then they will see Christ in us and strive to follow Him.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to live our lives devoid of sin and in perfect unity with Your will. Please convict our hearts and give us the discernment and the strength to be a reflection of Your Son. While we walk as Christians, may others see Jesus working in us and through us; and may they be drawn to Him. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Proof of Faith

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JESUS SPEAKING

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 34 – 33)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Before being betrayed and crucified, Jesus left His disciples with a new commandment; to love one another. In fact, according to Jesus, this manifestation of affection between believers proves the genuineness of an individual’s faith. And so this shared tenderness reveals to the world that we belong to Jesus Christ.

Concerning the discernment of authentic love, we read of an account in the old testament when two women were brought before king Solomon to settle a dispute. Both women were living in the same house, and both had given birth to newborn baby boys. At some point, one of the children was laid upon and died in the night. The first woman claimed that as she slept the other woman switched the babies, so that in the morning when she awoke she discovered the dead child laying in her bosom. She knew immediately that the child was not her baby. With both women claiming ownership of the child, Solomon devised a simple test to discover who the actual mother was. We read, ‘Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”‘ In response, one of the mothers was filled with compassion and responded saying, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” (The other mother didn’t seek to stop the execution.) Only one woman was willing to relinquish ownership so that the child would live. This affection for the child proved who the real mother was. We read, ‘So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”

In much the same way, there is a simple test which can be used to identify genuine followers of Jesus Christ. Only those who truly love their brothers and sisters in the Lord are faithful followers. May we treat our fellow Christians with a special measure of affection, as a testimony of our faith to the world.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to love our fellow Christians with great enthusiasm and affection. Give us that hunger as we seek to serve other believers with “gladness and singleness of heart.” We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

One Father, One Teacher

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JESUS SPEAKING

“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 6 – 12)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus chastised the religious leaders for placing themselves between God and man; which enabled them to steal a measure of God’s glory for themselves. He then addressed His disciples, forbidding them from calling anyone on earth their Teacher/Rabbi; as He alone was their Teacher/Master. He also forbade them from calling anyone on earth their Father, because God alone was their Father; rendering them all brothers. Thus He seems to be establishing a singular hierarchy among the body of believers. Pointing others to Christ alone is the first obligation of every believer.

  One man who thoroughly understood this principle of servant leadership and pointing others to Christ alone was named John the Baptist. When he saw Jesus He identified Him as the Messiah, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Some time later John’s followers approached him saying, “He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him.” John replied, “He must increase and I must decrease.”

Like John, we must decrease so that Jesus can increase. Our most important obligation as believers is to point others toward Jesus Christ; our one True Teacher. He possesses all of the truth and He alone is the head of the Church. May we continually look to Him for guidance, direction, and discernment. May He live through us as we walk in the light of His leadership. (Note: This does not mean that the church must be entirely devoid of structure.)

“Lord Heavenly Father, we seek to serve You and to point others toward Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we never steal any of Your glory. Give us the strength to obey and the courage to do what’s right in Your eyes. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Brokenness

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JESUS SPEAKING

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. ‘This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’ Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21: 42 – 44)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus refers to Himself as the chief cornerstone upon which the new temple has been built. According to Christ, those who reject Him as the foundation of God’s new work will be crushed into powder. However, those who choose to follow Him must first fall upon Him and be broken to pieces. This brokenness is necessary, because until we are broken, we cannot be reshaped and remade into God’s instruments.

Every butterfly begins its life as a small caterpillar. At some point its outer skin becomes a hard capsule known as the Chrysalis. Within this pouch the caterpillar undergoes an extreme transformation. Nearly all of its body parts are dissolved into a soupy liquid. The remaining imaginal cells then grow into the legs, the antennae, and the wings. After breaking free from this capsule, this creature flies away; another stunning example of God’s perfect design.

In much the same way Christians must be broken (or destroyed) before they can be remade. The old ways must perish and melt away in order for our new lives to begin. We must be willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of God’s desired transformation. May we always be willing to change and never resist the work of God in our lives.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we maintain a willingness to die to ourselves and be broken, that Your work in us may be accomplished. Transform us into the servants and stewards that You desire, and may we serve You with obedient and cheerful hearts. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

“Follow Me”

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JESUS SPEAKING

     ‘As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office.  And he said to him, “Follow Me.”  So he arose and followed Him.’ (Mark 9: 9)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     The calling of Matthew is one of the shortest conversion stories recorded in the bible.  As a tax collector, he worked for the Roman Empire; earning him the contempt and disdain of his own people.  Still Jesus saw something in him worth saving.  As the Lord passed by He uttered two simple words that would forever transform Matthew’s life; “Follow Me.”  Matthew’s response was simple, immediate, and unwavering.  He arose, abandoned his position, and began following Jesus Christ.

     During the 1880’s, a famous baseball player named Billy Sunday had a similar experience.  One day he and his teammates entered a saloon and began drinking. Upon exiting the bar, Billy spotted a group of Christians singing hymns and preaching about God’s salvation and forgiveness.  With tears rolling down his face, he turned to his teammates and said, “Boys, I’m through!  Going to turn to Jesus Christ.  We’ve reached the parting of the ways.”  Some mocked him, while others encouraged him.  He immediately entered the Pacific Garden Mission, where he gave his life to the Lord.  Later he said, “I called upon God’s mercy.  I staggered out of my sins and into the outstretched arms of the Savior.  I became instantly a new creation in Him.  The next morning at practice, my manager, Mike Kelly greeted me and said, ‘Billy, I read in the paper what occurred yesterday.  Religion isn’t my long suit, but I won’t knock you, and I’ll knock the daylights out of anyone who does.”  Billy Sunday went on to become one of the greatest evangelists of the early 20th century.

     Like Matthew, and like Billy, God is still calling many of us to follow Him today.  Jesus Christ desires that everyone might come to know Him and submit to His discipleship.  How then can you obey God’s call and receive salvation?  First, find a quiet place and then ask God to enter your heart.  You must profess a faith in Jesus Christ and also turn away from sinful living.  Get involved at a local church and be baptized in front of your family and friends.  Find a bible and begin reading it in the gospels.)  As you grow in the knowledge of God and submit to His commandments, you will experience an amazing transformation.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, we thank You for calling us to be Your disciples.  May You dwell forever in our hearts and minds.  Give us the strength to turn away from sin and death, that we might fully embrace the new life we have in You.  You are our Father and we are Your children. Teach us and guide us in all things. Give us more of Your Holy Spirit that we may lovingly serve You and our fellows.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!

Avoiding Opposition to God’s Will

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JESUS SPEAKING

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Peter expected Jesus to immediately establish His Kingdom upon the earth; a belief that rendered him incapable of accepting Christ’s impending death upon the cross. Jesus rebuked Peter for his attempted subversion of God’s will, saying “Get thee behind me Satan.” Thus He identifies Satan as the true source of Peter’s inspiration to prevent Him from dying for the salvation of mankind. May we never stand in opposition to God’s will.

In the old testament, there lived a prophet named Jonah. The Lord instructed him to go to Nineveh (a wicked city), and preach a message of repentance and reconciliation with God. For whatever reason, Jonah refused to go; and in fact, he traveled in the opposite direction; making every effort to run away from his duties because of his hatred for the city. No matter where Jonah went, he was subjected to suffering by God; and still he refused to go. After being tossed into the sea he was swallowed by a massive fish that descended into the depths. And still he remained stubborn. However, after spending three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, he finally relented. He was spit up onto dry land and journeyed to Nineveh. Once there, he reiterated God’s warning for them to repent and avoid destruction (and for a time they did repent.)

Like Jonah, whenever we stand in the way of the Lord’s will, we place ourselves in opposition to God. As a result He may convict our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, or He may cause us to endure suffering; a form of punishment designed to change our attitudes and bring us into submission. May we always follow God’s path and never walk in opposition to His will.

“Lord Heavenly Father, You are a wonderful creator, and we thank You for all of the many blessings we have received. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, may we always walk according to Your will. May we never stand in the way of any works You are seeking to accomplish. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus name, amen.” God bless all of you!

The Flood

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JESUS SPEAKING

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as the in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24: 37 – 39)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus likens His eventual second coming to the days of Noah and the flood. When the Lord returns the faithful will be saved but the wicked will be judged. According to Jesus Noah was an actual man and the ark was a genuine vessel. Additionally, He establishes that the global flood was an authentic historical event, as opposed to a symbolic metaphor.

Today there are countless individuals claiming to be Christian who deny that Noah lived and actively promote the belief that the flood account was simply an allegory (a fictional tale meant to teach a deeper lesson.) Clearly these heretical apostates are leading others astray. In fact, we are warned about these individuals in 2 Peter, 3 – 6. We read, “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’ For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.”

There are some who cannot comprehend the power of God, and in the midst of their ignorance they purpose to change the meaning of scripture to suit their own beliefs. They will struggle to chip away at the foundations of God’s truth, because if one part of the Bible is false then nothing is sacred and everything can be questioned. May we fully trust in the Bible and its historical accuracy.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we thank You for creating the heavens and the earth, and for all of the miracles You have accomplished throughout history and in our lives. May we never doubt You or the scriptures that sustain and purify our hearts and minds. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Seeking the Lost

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 8 – 10)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Like this woman’s missing coin, the world is full of lost human beings; individuals who possess no knowledge of their creator. They have wandered off, stumbling about in darkness as they journey toward eternal condemnation. Yet Jesus came to seek and to save those who are perishing. Every believer who shares God’s loving heart will continue Christ’s evangelical work upon this Earth. As disciples, we are commanded to reach out to the lost; that others might hear the gospel of forgiveness and be reconciled to the Lord.

Many years ago, a dynamic missionary leader in India named Robert Wilder was dining with three naval officers. During the course of their conversation one of the officers remarked, “Why don’t these missionaries stay home and mind their own business?” Dr. Wilder replied, “Suppose you were ordered to take your battleship to Constantinople tomorrow, would you choose whether to obey or not?” The officer responded, “If we are ordered to go, we must go, even if every ship is sunk and every sailor killed.” “Quite right,” replied the missionary. “I have orders from the divine government: ‘Go and preach the gospel to every creature.'”

Like Robert Wilder, we too have been commanded to spread the gospel message. To seek out and to save the lost. This is what brings our God pleasure; this is what causes Him to rejoice. We can accomplish this evangelistic endeavor by witnessing to others, sharing our testimony, handing out bible tracts, and posting messages to our social media accounts, etc. We must be bold, we must be zealous, and we must always preach the truth, no matter the consequence.

“Lord Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all honor and praise. May we continue your work upon this Earth; reaching out to those who have wandered away. Remove our fears, that we might communicate Your message with boldness. Use us as instruments of Your love, and may our efforts be fruitful. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Importance of Communion

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JESUS SPEAKING

When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve Apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves: for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22: 14 – 20)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

During the last supper, Jesus instituted a critical Christian practice known as communion; a ritualistic act of eating bread and drinking wine (grape juice) in remembrance of His sacrifice upon the cross. The bread represents His broken body and the wine (grape juice) is symbolic of the blood He shed upon the cross. This communal celebration is an essential practice for those who are following Jesus Christ.

Although some today question the correct frequency required for the observance of communion (and there is some legitimate debate), we are given a guiding example in the new testament. In the book of Acts, chapter 20 verse 7 we read, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” In the Jewish culture, the first day of the week began on Saturday evening and ended when the sun went down on Sunday. This is the reason why Sunday morning services are so common in our Churches. And so, with this scripture in mind, weekly communion seems to be ideal. (Note: some early Christians practiced daily communion.)

As believers, communion represents an essential practice rooted in solid Christian doctrine. As we gather together in our celebration of Christ’s sacrifice, may we partake of the bread and wine (grape juice) in a manner that honors God. And in so doing, reiterate our commitment to the faith and our remembrance of the new covenant; through which we have received forgiveness and salvation.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that You sent Your Son to save us from our sins and to grant us eternal life. May we joyfully celebrate Your awesome deliverance as we partake in communion with our fellow believers. May we never forget the incredible sacrifice that Your Son made for our reconciliation and forgiveness. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

What is Truly Valuable

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.“ (Matthew 14: 44)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this parable a man discovers a treasure in a field. After hiding the treasure, he sells all of his other possessions to purchase the land, and the riches contained within it. The treasure in this story represents the gospel message and the salvation and reconciliation that God has given to all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. There is nothing more valuable than knowing we are members of God’s eternal kingdom; and in His presence we will live forever.

As the story goes, a woman was once dying in a poorhouse. The doctor bent over her and heard her whisper, “Praise the Lord.” He replied saying, “Why auntie, how can you praise God when you are dying in a poorhouse?” “Oh, doctor,” she replied, “it’s wonderful to go from the poorhouse to a mansion in the skies!”

Jesus Himself has given us the promise of eternal life in His kingdom. A precious treasure that has no equal. In fact, all of the riches this earth has to offer cannot compare to even a single day in God’s presence. If we keep our hearts and minds focused on our future with the Lord, we will always experience joy, no matter our present circumstances.

“Lord Heavenly Father, please help us to remember what is truly valuable in this world. May we be joyful at all times, knowing that we have been saved from death, and instead, have received eternal life. We love you Father, we praise You, and we thank You. And we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Division Creates Weakness

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JESUS SPEAKING

   “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” (Matthew 12: 25)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

    Division produces strife; which in turn, creates weakness.  Although there are many forms of discord, by far the most damaging is ‘internal conflict.’   Hatred between friends is often more devastating than hatred among enemies.  Divisiveness breaks the bonds of marriage; it sets parents against their children; it tears families apart; it defeats armies and conquers entire nations.  The body of Christ is a divine family which is meant to exist in perfect unity and peace.

    Since its inception, the United States has been involved in many military confrontations.  Despite the numerous wars waged in foreign lands, the bloodiest conflict was actually fought on American soil.  The Civil War erupted in the 1860’s; ending nearly 620,000 lives and producing millions of crippled war veterans. The property damage was astronomical; the cost exceeding 6 billion dollars. Cities and railroads were destroyed. Homes and businesses were looted and vandalized; entire crops were set ablaze. Many families were also torn in two, with some siblings fighting for opposing armies.

    Much like 1860’s America, the church has at times, experienced great disunity.  The number of issues that have fostered division include: differing methods of baptism; observance of certain holidays; adherence to dietary restrictions; and the structure of church authority, etc. To avoid divisiveness we must place an emphasis on our common faith in Jesus Christ, and not allow “uncertain things” to divide us. (Note: Many sinful practices that go against biblical doctrine must never be accepted by the body of Christ; but rather deserve spiritual opposition which may create division.)

    “Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to experience spiritual unity.  Please remove those things which divide us, that we might love each other in peace. Cleanse our hearts of any ungodly resentments or divisions. Strengthen Your body, that we might rejoice together as one family. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and we pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name we pray,  amen.”  God bless all of you!

Guiding Others to Jesus

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JESUS SPEAKS

‘Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has the power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.’ (Luke 5: 17 – 25)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

A group of loyal men set out to carry their paralyzed friend to Jesus. In a desperate attempt to circumvent the crowds, they puncture a hole in the roof, and lower the sick man down to the Lord. The man’s tortured body is healed and his sins are forgiven; thus permitting him to return home. In like manner, those who are faithful are duty bound to escort their families, friends, loved ones, relatives, and acquaintances to the feet of Jesus Christ. In so doing, they too can be healed, forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God.

“Every atom in the universe can act upon every other atom, but only through the atom next to it. If a man would act upon every other man, he could do it best by acting, one at a time, upon those beside him.” —Henry Drummond—

Although many are called to be missionaries in some distant nation, there’s no shortage of souls that require saving right here at home. Those who are positioned directly beside us in this life are often the most inclined to accept the gospel message; our parents, our children, our brothers and sisters, our cousins, our nieces and nephews, our close friends and even our coworkers. Having been healed ourselves, we must then make an effort to guide them to the feet of Jesus Christ.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we never be distracted or dissuaded from accomplishing our primary purpose; which includes spreading the gospel message to those You have placed directly beside us. Each day, may we strive to guide our friends and family members to the foot of Your throne, through the blood of our Savior. Open their hearts and minds, that they too might receive forgiveness and be healed. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Widow’s Faith

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JESUS SPEAKING

Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the Treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the Treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12: 41 – 44)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus watched as the masses deposited their money into the Temple Treasury. Most gave out of their abundance; but one poor widow put in everything that she had to live on. Jesus honored her because she possessed absolute faith in God’s ability to provide for her needs. Those who fully trust in God will know His blessings.

As the story goes, there once lived a wealthy shoe manufacturer who at one point in his early life became completely broke. He had been unemployed for so long that he was down to his last dollar. He decided to trust in God, and he put (half) 50 cents into the collection basket at his church. The next morning he heard of a job in a neighboring town. The railroad fair to that town was one dollar. So he paid 50 cents to travel halfway to the desired location. He exited the train and began walking into the town. Before he had walked one block he discovered a factory that was employing men. Within thirty minutes he had a new job at a salary of five dollars more a week than he would have received had he gone to the other town. God honored him for his trust; providing for all of his needs.

Like this poor widow woman, we too can possess an extraordinary faith. If we trust fully in God for His guidance and provision then we can live without fear and walk in His perfect will. May we step out in faith whenever we feel God calling us. By trusting in our Lord, we will know true faithfulness and abundant peace.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may walk by faith without fear. May we be willing to put our trust in You and to follow Your guiding hand. As we practice sacrificial giving, may our endeavors be blessed; that others might observe the power of Your provision. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ name, amen.” God bless all of You!

Love is an Action

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JESUS SPEAKING

“But what do you think?  A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’  He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.  Then he came to the second and said likewise.  And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir’ but he did not go.  Which of the two did the will of his Father?”  They said to him, “The first.”  Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that the tax collectors and the harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21: 28-31)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

This parable clearly illustrates the active nature of genuine faith. Although both sons responded with words, only one son took action; thus displaying true obedience. For those who believe, mere words are empty and deceitful, unless they are accompanied by acts of kindness and affection.

Today my wife called me at the coffee shop and told me that the dishes had not been done. Still she explained that it wasn’t necessary for me to come home and do them. When I hung up the phone, I said “I love you.” In that solitary moment I realized that my expression of love was empty and hollow, because my words were devoid of the corresponding action. And so, I decided to return home and do the dishes.

As Christians, we are expected to go beyond only verbal expressions of love. Our affection for others must manifest itself in our actions. Thus faith is an action (and internal belief), which can also be accompanied by words. May we continue to love others in all that we say and do.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before you with humble hearts. May Your love and affection for mankind be expressed in the things that we do, and in the actions that we take. May our words and deeds be without hypocrisy, as we seek to genuinely love others. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You. We ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Only Way

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 7 – 10)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus uses a shepherding parable to illustrate an essential truth. In this illustration He identifies a sheepfold, or an enclosure where the livestock are penned in for safe keeping. This secure and protected place represents heaven. Jesus then likens Himself to the one true Shepherd, as well as the only door through which an individual can enter God’s heavenly kingdom. The thieves and robbers mentioned in this parable represent anyone who suggests there is another way to fellowship with God, other than through Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. As they reached the shores of the Red Sea, Pharaoh and his army were fast approaching them with murderous intentions. With no means of escape, God performed a miracle. He divided the Red Sea and made a pathway for the Jewish people to escape to the other side. They walked through the sea and were saved; Pharaoh’s army however was destroyed. God prescribes the method of salvation, and mankind must then choose to follow God or to wander off. Any religion that suggests there is a different pathway to reach God is evil and exists solely to lead people astray.

Like those who walked through the sea, God has made a way for human beings to escape death. This pathway is exclusive; rendering all other religions useless. Only by believing in Jesus Christ and accepting His sacrifice upon the cross can one enter God’s eternal kingdom. Jesus is the doorway; He is the path, and He is the life. May we all choose to follow Him and surrender ourselves to His service.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before you with humble hearts. We recognize that You have made a way for us to enter into eternal fellowship with You. May we never stray from this path, nor become idle in our evangelistic endeavors. May we remain zealous for the truth as we spread the gospel message to all those who are lost. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Focus On Christ’s Return

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JESUS SPEAKING

     “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you unexpectedly.  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.” (Luke 21: 34-36)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

     Jesus warned His followers to be prepared for His return at any moment; and in turn, to remain focused on His future kingdom. Whenever an individual loses sight of the eternal, they will begin to indulge in selfish pursuits. Followers are thus cautioned against engaging in carousing (sexual immorality), drunkenness, and the cares of this life. By living with the expectation that Christ could return at any moment, we can avoid any deadly distractions.

     Concerning distractions, text messaging while driving has resulted in a great number of motor vehicle tragedies. One very prominent case involved a plastic surgeon who was text messaging when he drove off of a cliff and tumbled to his death.  Sadly, Dr. Frank Ryan was tweeting a message about his dog, who was with him in the car when he drove off a cliff; he died and his dog was badly injured.  Dr. Ryan set out on a journey, but got distracted, and as a result he never reached his destination.  So many people who believe in Jesus Christ start out on a journey toward an eternal destination, but never make it because they get distracted by the cares of this world.

     Christians today need to avoid focusing on the passing pleasures of this life, and must never allow distractions to take our eyes off of Christ.  Through Bible reading, evangelism, prayer, and fellowship, we can grow stronger in our faith. If we make God the central figure in our hearts, then we will not be afraid on the day He returns; but instead, we will be filled with delight as we contemplate the eternal life we will enjoy in His presence.

    “Lord Heavenly Father, we exalt You in our hearts and minds. You alone are worthy of all praise and honor and glory.  As we focus on the return of Your Son, help us to avoid any trivial distractions. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, speak to us and give us the knowledge of Your will, that we may better serve You and our fellows. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

A Loving Father

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JESUS SPEAKING

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he had came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger. I will arise and go to my Father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your servants.”‘ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the Father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us make merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15: 11 – 24)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this parable, the prodigal Son (representing sinners), is afforded the freedom to leave his father (representing God), and live according to his own sinful desires. Eventually, in the midst of great suffering, he chooses to return to his heavenly Father, expecting to be treated as a servant. And yet his return is cause for celebration. God the Father feels tremendous heartache for those who are lost in sin, and rejoices when they repent and return to Him.

Concerning God’s affection, we read in Ezekiel 33: 11, “Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Additionally, in Jeremiah 48: 31, God says, “Therefore I will wail for Moab, and I will cry out for Moab; I will mourn for the men of Kir Heres.” Although the nation of Moab was eventually destroyed in judgement, we know that God was saddened by the loss of so many souls.

If we endeavor to share God’s heart, then we must also love those who are lost in sin. As Christians, we are chosen messengers of the Gospel, which is a love letter from God to mankind; a sweet offering of salvation and reconciliation through the sacrifice of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. May we share God’s heart in all things, which includes His love for those who are lost.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we be one in Spirit with You at all times. May we share Your thoughts and desires as we seek to serve others. May we continue in Your word and be strengthened and equipped to accomplish whatever ministry you have called us to. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Producing Fruit

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JESUS SPEAKING

    “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12: 23 – 25)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     Using an agricultural metaphor, Jesus references His upcoming death, burial, and resurrection. A single grain of wheat, when planted, can produce hundreds, thousands, and even millions of additional seeds. Similarly, the Lords’ suffering and agony upon the cross, and ensuing resurrection, has produced much fruit. His selfless sacrifice has inspired endless conversions; enabling millions to receive the mercy and grace of God.
     As the story goes, in the 1800’s there resided a little girl from Philadelphia name Hattie Wiatt. She lived in close proximity to a popular, and very crowded Grace Baptist Church. One day she approached the Church and asked to attend their Sunday school. Sadly, she was told that there was no more room. Less than two years later, Hattie fell ill and passed away. A pocket book containing 57 pennies was found underneath her pillow; it was wrapped in a piece of scrap paper; written on the paper was a note that read, “To help build the little temple bigger, so that more children can go to Sunday school.” She had saved her pennies for 2 years intending to give them as a donation to the church. The pastor told his congregation of Hattie’s selflessness. Immediately donations began pouring in, until they had collected nearly $250,000 dollars. Soon the church was seating 3,300 people. The parishioners also chose to build a hospital as well as a university accommodating some 1,400 students (today, attendance at this college has reached nearly 30,000.) Hattie’s sacrifice, although small, has gone on to produce much fruit.
     Like Hattie, we are called to selflessly lay down our lives to “build the little temple bigger.” To sacrifice our own wants and desires so that others may come to know the love of God. When we serve our fellows, love our neighbors, and give to those in need, we bear much fruit. Those who strive to live selflessly will come to know peace; true peace; heavenly peace; eternal peace; “the peace that surpasses all understanding.”
     “Lord Heavenly Father, You are truly an amazing and awesome God. We desperately desire to be selfless; we yearn to lay down our lives so that others may come to know You. Help us to enjoy and embrace serving, giving, and loving. May we produce much fruit and bring many souls into Your everlasting Kingdom. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Prophecy Fulfilled

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JESUS SPEAKING

“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5: 37 -40)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Long before the birth of Christ, many Old Testament figures were inspired by God to record prophetic descriptions of the future Messiah. The things of which they foretold were made manifest in Jesus Christ. This is why He said the scriptures “testify of Me.” Apart from the Judeo-Christian faith, no other religion in the world has ever accurately predicted future events with any degree of precision.

The book of Isaiah was compiled sometime between 600 to 800 years before Jesus was born. In it we read, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel” (God with us.) Later in this book we read, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed…yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him.” In addition we read, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgement and justice, from that time forward, even forever.” Other Old Testament prophecies include the Messiah being born in Bethlehem, and having His hands and feet pierced (as was done during the crucifixion.) We are also told that men would gamble for his clothing, which occurred at the foot of the cross. Other prophecies describe him healing the sick, curing the blind, and bringing the good news to mankind.

Prophecy enables us to reaffirm that our faith is genuinely inspired by God. No one other than God can know the future; and so we can recognize what is true and be transformed by it. Jesus is the Messiah, and the Holy Scriptures are the only divinely inspired collection of texts in this world. May God’s word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we recognize Your use of prophecy and are greatly blessed by it. You alone possess the knowledge of truth. May we continue to walk in that truth with You, and be transformed by the power of Your Holy Spirit. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Divine Appointments

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JESUS SPEAKING

And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, “The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” So the disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. (Mark 14: 13 – 16)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus gave His disciples specific instructions on how to find the location for their Passover feast. A divine appointment was orchestrated, so that they would encounter a man carrying a pitcher of water. By following him, the disciples discovered a room that was already prepared for them. The definition of a divine appointment is, “A specific, unmistakable meeting arranged by God for a particular purpose; not by accident or coincidence.”

In the book of acts the Apostle Philip was traveling along a road when he met an Ethiopian man studying a copy of the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood it. The man replied, “How can I unless someone guides me.” Philip then enlightened him concerning the scripture, which was a prophecy concerning Jesus. The gospel was preached to him and the man declared his faith in Christ. He was then baptized by Philip in water and went his way rejoicing. This divine appointment, orchestrated by God, led to the salvation of a man’s soul.

Even today, God continues to orchestrate divine appointments. Those who are willing to share the gospel message will inevitably encounter others who are seeking the truth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be used to guide many to Jesus Christ. May we embrace our calling and be zealous to win souls for God.

“Lord Heavenly Father, give us the strength and courage to reach out to those we will encounter who need to hear the gospel message. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and speak through us, that we might be used to guide many into Your everlasting kingdom. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Light of the World

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JESUS SPEAKING

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8: 12)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus Christ is the light of the world. He came to show everyone the pathway to a renewed relationship with God. His life, teachings, and Spirit have eliminated any confusion between what is good and evil. Now, every believer can know God’s will and avoid the stumbling blocks of sin.

In the Old Testament, a prophet named Hilkiah once discovered a lost copy of the written law of God inside of the old temple. He gave these scriptures to King Josiah, who upon reading them, was horrified at how terribly disobedient the entire nation of Israel had become; he even tore his own clothing in despair. In response, he chose to read the law out loud for everyone to hear; he also initiated a sweeping spiritual reformation designed to bring the nation of Israel back into compliance with God’s commandments. He journeyed throughout Israel, tearing down all of the pagan altars and destroying their idols. The light of God’s word gave Josiah discernment.

In much the same way, those who call Jesus their Lord are given the light of life; the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As this light burns in our hearts, it illuminates the darkness; allowing us to discern the differences between good and evil. Thus, knowing what is right becomes a simple choice for those who desire to follow Christ.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we yearn to know Your will. Fill our hearts and minds with Your Holy Spirit, that we may comprehend what path is pleasing to You. Give us the strength and courage to choose what is right and to remain obedient, even in the hardest of times. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ name we pray. Amen.” God bless all of You!

The Greatest

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JESUS SPEAKING

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 3: 12 – 17)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

During the first century, sandals were the most common type of footwear worn in Israel. Over the course of a day, dirt and grime would build up around the feet; thus necessitating the practice of foot washing before entering a home. This filthy task was usually relegated to the lowest ranking servants in a household. When Jesus washed the disciples feet, He gave us all an example of how lowliness and humility equates to greatness in God’s kingdom.

Throughout history, countless missionaries have gone into the dirtiest, most impoverished places to selflessly serve others in obedience to God’s will. As the story goes, one prominent missionary once wrote, “In encouraging young men to come out as missionaries, do use the greatest caution. One wrong-minded, obstinate man would ruin us. Humble…persevering men of sound, sterling character, with good accomplishment and some natural aptitude to acquire a language; men of amiable, yielding temper, willing to take the lowest place; men who live close to God, and who are willing to suffer all things for Christ sake without being proud of it—these are the kind of men we need.”

Like many missionaries, and like the Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest Christians among us will be those who are the greatest servants. If we desire to follow Christ we too must embrace a life of selflessness and humility; denying our own flesh so that others may see the works of God and experience His love. May we all commit to this undertaking.

“Lord Heavenly Father, provide us with opportunities throughout the day to serve others with great affection. May we seek to be the greatest servants; offering our lives as a sacrifice for the furtherance of Your gospel message. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and may we walk with You always. We love you Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Worshiping God

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JESUS SPEAKING

“For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'” (Matthew 4: 10)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

God created Human beings to walk in fellowship with Him; to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. This worship manifests itself in adoration and reverence for the Lord. Thus we submit to His will while singing songs that praise and honor Him. We should elevate and worship God in our prayers and times of fellowship.

In the old testament, we read about a prophet named Daniel. While living in Babylon, King Darius made a decree outlawing the worship of any God other than the King himself. Daniel refused to adhere to this directive; and in fact, Daniel allowed others to observe him praying to God. When his act of disobedience was discovered, he was thrown into a lions den. After a day had passed the King approached the den, hoping Daniel had not been devoured by the lions. And indeed, he was still alive because God had sent an angel to keep the mouths of the lions from opening.

Like Daniel, we were created with a desire to worship the one true and living God. The devil desires for us to adore false Gods, and to worship created things rather than the creator Himself. If we have received Christ and been reconciled to God, then we can finally know our genuine purpose in this world; which is to worship God alone, and to serve him with faithful hearts.

“Lord Father, we desire to worship You alone and to render to you all of the praise and honor that You deserve. May we perform the tasks that You have given us to accomplish with sincere Hearts. And may we walk in complete fellowship with You, all the days of our lives. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Fleeing Sin and Temptation

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JESUS SPEAKING

“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.” (Matthew 18: 8)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

According to Jesus, we are to avoid sin at all costs. He goes even further, suggesting that we should also abandon anything that might lead us into temptation or cause us to sin. For example, if someone becomes a Christian and has a history of drunken (alcoholic) behavior, they should rid their houses of liquor and avoid hanging out in bars; they would also be wise to make new friends and abandon their old drinking buddies.

Many years ago, after becoming a Christian, I made the decision to only use my laptop at coffee shops and other public places where anyone who walked by could see what I was viewing on my screen. This accountability helped me to avoid watching anything inappropriate on my laptop. Although I no longer struggle with that form of temptation, for a time, avoiding isolated computer use served me well.

As Christians, we must strive to be as perfect in our deeds as our Lord and savior Jesus Christ is. Although we cannot attain sinless perfection (for which there is grace), we are still called to avoid sin and anything else that might lead us into temptation. No matter our situation, with God’s help, we can all do better.

“Lord Heavenly Father, give us the strength and courage to avoid those things that are sinful or tempting. May our lives be committed to purity and goodness. Grant us the wisdom to recognize those areas of our lives where change is necessary. Without You we are lost, but with You we have all hope. We love You Father, praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Complete Joy

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JESUS SPEAKING

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15: 9 – 11)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

According to Jesus, those who abide in His love will also be filled with His joy. This kind of joy is defined as a deep, enduring contentment and inner peace derived from God’s Holy Spirit dwelling within us, rather than from external circumstances. This divine joy is a constant disposition that reveals the presence of God.

As the story goes, many years ago when a missionary named Adoniram Judson returned home on furlough, he passed through the city of Stonington Connecticut. A young boy who was playing nearby was struck by the man’s appearance. He had never seen such a light on any human face. He promptly ran up the street and asked a minister if he knew who the stranger was. The minister hurried back, but became so absorbed in conversation with Judson that he forgot about the impatient youngster standing beside him. Years later, that young boy became a powerful preacher named Henry Clay Trumbull. In a book of memoirs he penned a chapter entitled: “What a Boy Saw in the Face of Adoniram Judson.” From an early age, that man’s joyful countenance had changed his life.

Like Mr. Judson, we too are called to exemplify the joy of Christ in our behaviors and mannerisms. If Christ is alive within us, then His supernatural joy will flow outward from us; and we will experience even greater joy as we build upon our relationship with the Lord. If we love God, His love will be revealed in us.

“Lord Heavenly Father, fill us with Your love. May Your Holy Spirit come alive within our hearts . May we know pure joy and experience the eternal peace that “surpasses all understanding.” We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Kingdom of God

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JESUS SPEAKING

“The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here! or ‘See there.’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you!” (Luke 17: 20 – 21)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

According to Christ, the Kingdom of God in this world is not a physical place that can be observed with the eyes. Instead, it is a spiritual place that exists within the human heart. God’s kingdom is present inside those who seek to live in obedience to His will. Although hidden from sight, the effects of the kingdom can be observed by examining the works of individuals who are committed to Christ.

Interestingly enough, there are many things in this world that cannot be identified directly with human eyes, but nonetheless exist. In order to identify some microscopic particles for example, a form of spectral analysis is often performed. An unknown substance is exposed to a beam of light or a laser. These lights interact with the object’s atoms and a unique spectral pattern of energy is emitted. This pattern is observed and then compared to a database of “Spectral Fingerprints” that can identify any unknown compound.

In much the same way, the kingdom of heaven is hidden within the human heart; unseen but alive. Although it cannot be observed directly, the presence of God can be observed by examining what comes out of a person; their actions, their words, and their works. Genuine Christianity can always be discerned. May we all behave in a manner that represents the will and desires of our heavenly Father.

Lord God, we yearn for Your Kingdom to grow within us. May Your Holy Spirit possess every aspect of our lives and empower us to live as genuine Christians. May our actions testify of Your goodness and righteousness. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Erasing Ourselves

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JESUS SPEAKING

“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” (John 5: 30)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Until Jesus, no one had ever seen a man walking in complete unity with God; accomplishing His will with absolute precision. Jesus displayed no selfish ambition; nor did He possess any desire to deviate from what was right. In fact, Jesus said, “If you had known Me, you would have known my Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him […] he who has seen Me, has seen the Father.” Jesus is the perfect image of God in the flesh.

Some time ago I attended an estate sale where they were selling a great many works of art. Most of the valuable pieces had already been sold. However, as I walked through the garage I noticed something peculiar. A framed painting had been tucked into a section of cheaper prints. The canvas was caked in a thick layer of grey dust; thus preventing anything from being seen. Using my finger, I wiped away a small section of residue, which confirmed that the piece was an authentic painting. I purchased the item and took it home. I then meticulously removed the dust from the picture, revealing an exceptionally well done antique still life painting of a military helmet, a dagger, and a book. The dust had prevented anyone from seeing its genuine value and beauty.

As Christians we are called to emulate Christ; to reveal the image of God to others. However, like the dust on that painting, our selfish desires can interfere; preventing many from seeing God as He truly is. To express God’s will in the present we must abandon any of our desires that conflict with what the Lord wants to accomplish in the lives of those around us.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we lift up our voices to praise You with all honor and glory. As we seek to reveal Your image to our fellows, give us the strength to live in perfect submission to Your will. May our shortcomings and appetites be erased by the power of Your Holy Spirit. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Get Baptized

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JESUS SPEAKS

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Jesus— (Matthew 28: 19 – 20)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus identifies baptism as an essential component of the gospel message. When an individual is baptized in water, they are committing themselves to the lifestyle of repentance that accompanies genuine faith. Although salvation and forgiveness are from the Lord alone, the decision to turn away from sin and permit God to transform us is an individual decision. Every authentic convert must abandon their sins and attempt to live rightly. And thus baptism is the outward manifestation and public profession of our commitment to Holy living.

As the story goes, some years back a man who was practicing Hinduism chose to place his Faith in Jesus Christ. He immediately decided to be baptized. He arrived at the ceremony wearing, as all Brahmins do, the ‘Yagnopavita,’ or sacred thread that hangs from the neck; these decorative sashes also identify the highest members of India’s caste society. During the baptism, after coming up out of the water, he snapped the thread and tossed it into the surrounding water; signifying the death of his old life and his commitment to, ‘walk in newness of life’ in Christ.

Like this converted Hindu realized, Baptism is an act of submission to God’s will. Those who embrace the gospel must choose to repent and turn to the Lord. Being baptized is a public profession of this commitment; a promise to follow the teachings of Christ. Those who are baptized will experience a strengthened relationship with God. If you have placed your faith in the Lord and have never been baptized, consider undergoing the ceremony whenever possible. If you desire to accept the faith and convert, then baptism will draw you closer to the Lord.

“Lord Heavenly Father, you are an amazing and powerful God. We accept and recognize the importance of water baptism; especially among those who are turning to the faith. Give us the strength to live according to the commitments we have made. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, may we continually remain faithful and repentant. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

The Second Mile

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JESUS SPEAKING

    “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I tell you not to resist an evil person.  But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to everyone who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” (Matthew 5: 38 – 42)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

During the first century A.D. the Roman army occupied Israel. As conquerors they were afforded certain privileges. One provision gave every Roman soldier the right to compel any Jewish citizen to carry their equipment, for up too, but not in excess of, one Roman mile. Jesus used this law to illustrate the principle of serving others, even our enemies, in abundance. Going the second mile is a uniquely Christian principle. Accomplishing the bare minimum proves little; but the genuine love of God is made manifest when we exceed the demands, requests, and expectations of others.

During our vacation this summer we stayed at our family’s cabin near the lake. The cottage had a sauna which required wood for heating. At some point I was asked to restock the bin holding the logs. I immediately set about accomplishing my task; transporting the kindling from the shed to the sauna house. I took my time; adjusting and re-stacking the logs to maximize the amount of usable space. Not only did I fill the bin, but I continued stacking after it was full. When I had reached the maximum height, given the constraints of safety and stability, my task was complete. Later on I was approached by the family member who had asked me to refill the bin. She told me that I had done the best job of restocking the wood that she had ever seen; as a matter of fact, she was so impressed that she even took a picture of it. Obviously my efforts had paid off; revealing something wonderful about God and His followers.

No matter where we are in life, there are countless opportunities to serve others in abundance. Whenever we go the ‘second mile;’ it reveals something wonderful about God’s character. Thus, if we are compelled to accomplish a task, we must go above and beyond; serving others with great zeal, enthusiasm, and affection.

“Lord Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we might have the strength to serve others in abundance. In all that we do, may we accomplish our good works in Your Holy name; that You would receive all of the honor and glory You so rightly deserve. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

A Simple Rule

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JESUS SPEAKING

“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” (Luke 6: 31)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Every evil act perpetrated against another human being is selfish in nature. Therefore, as Christians we must consider how we would like to be treated, and then apply that standard toward our interactions with others. Following this simple rule can lead us into a more righteous life.

Nowhere in the world today is a lack of empathy more evident than in the abortion industry. When a human being is conceived in the womb, a life begins. A human life, beautiful and wonderful. That individual will grow, they will be born, and they will be loved by others. And yet, for any number of selfish reasons, some women and men will choose to end that life. There are many excuses given of course; “It’s inconvenient,” or “I’m not ready,” or “My whole life will change.” But no matter the reason, abortion is a violation of Christ’s golden rule. The truth is revealed when we ask those considering abortion a few simple questions: “Would you have rather been aborted in the womb? Would you like for someone to end your life? Would you be happy if someone erased you from this world?” Most honest individuals will answer, “no!” And yet the practice continues without end. [Note: For those who have chosen abortion, there is forgiveness in Christ.]

Abortion is just one of a number of behaviors that violates Christ’s commandment to treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated. Those who are wise will implement this ‘golden rule,’ and in turn, grow closer to God. May God be glorified in the way we treat and love our fellows.

“Lord Heavenly Father, give us the strength and desire to apply this scripture in our lives. May we be honest and selfless in our dealings with others. May we be considerate and empathetic; trustworthy and faithful in all that we do. We love You Lord, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Professing Our Faith

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JESUS SPEAKING

    “I also say to you, whoever confesses me before men, him the son of man will confess before the angels of God.  But he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12: 8 – 9.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  Pride plays an essential role in what we choose to communicate to others; most intuitively hide what is unimportant or shameful, while simultaneously expressing the things that are of great value.  In American culture, individuals utilize social media to post quotes, publish photos, and transmit thoughts.  Similarly, others may use billboards, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and jewelry to convey their beliefs to the public.  And yet, in a nation reportedly comprised of millions of Christians, Jesus Christ very rarely occupies the top position.   He is often displaced by more important things; like a career, a family, a political candidate, a sports team, a noteworthy cause, or even a unique lifestyle.

   Throughout history Christians have been persecuted for their outward professions of faith.  In many countries today, those who openly convert from Islam to Christianity will endure imprisonment and execution.  Only a lucky few are afforded the right to a trial; during these mock proceedings, evidence of a true conversion is presented against the accused.  To test the genuineness of our faith, we can ask ourselves a hypothetical question: “If we were to go on trial for our lives, what evidence would our accusers have to convict us of being real Christians?”  Would we be blamed for spreading the gospel?  Would we be found guilty of outwardly displaying our beliefs without shame or remorse?  Would others willingly testify that we have followed the teachings of Jesus Christ?  Would we be condemned for our love, and convicted by our faith?

    Those who are proud to be disciples are truly committed to the Lord.  As believers we must actively seek to express our faith in obvious and practical ways; through our words, our deeds, and our nonverbal communication.  Whether it’s the bumper sticker that reads, “Jesus is Lord,” or the cross that hangs from our neck, outward displays of devotion strengthen our relationship with God.  Each time we openly express our love for Christ, we grow closer to our Heavenly Father; who in turn, pours out upon us, all of His spiritual blessings.

   “Lord Heavenly Father, give us the strength and the desire to share our faith with others.  May we never be ashamed to be called Your Sons and Daughters.  Continue to be our number one love; may nothing ever come before You.  In Your wisdom, give us opportunities to communicate Your message to those who are devoid of understanding; that they too would come to know You as we have.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.”  God bless all of you!

Leading Others to Christ

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JESUS SPEAKING

    While journeying through Samaria, Jesus chose to sit down beside a well; as He rested, He began speaking with a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water. During their conversation He revealed to her certain intimate details of her life; details that only God Himself could know.  Amazed and astonished, ‘the woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet […] I know that the messiah is coming (who is called the Christ.)  When He comes He will tell us all things.”  Jesus answered her saying, “I who speak to you am He.” […] The woman then left her water-pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done.  Could this be the Christ?” […] And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified saying, “He told me everything I’ve ever done.”  So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of His own words.” (John 4: 19 – 41)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

    One fateful afternoon, Jesus Christ chose to reveal himself to an immoral woman who was attempting to draw water from a well.  She was unaware that on that day she would find the Son of God and receive salvation.  Upon hearing Him recount every intimate detail of her life, she became overwhelmed with joy.  The astonished woman left her water-pot behind and entered the city; seeking to lead others to Jesus.  As expected, those who followed her eventually received the eternal gift of God.  Everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ becomes a messenger.  Having been redeemed, we must strive to lead other sick individuals to the ‘Great Physician;’ the only one capable of mending their wounds and healing their broken hearts.

    As the story goes, like our ‘Great Physician,’ there was once a missionary Doctor who was practicing medicine in a Chinese hospital. As he sought to alleviate the suffering of his fellows, he surgically healed a blind man afflicted with cataracts (a clouding of the lenses of the eye that causes blindness.)  A few weeks later, 48 blind men arrived from the wilds of china (each one seeking to undergo the same incredible procedure.)  Incapable of proper navigation, they forcefully clung to a long rope.  Not surprisingly, the man who had been cured weeks earlier was guiding them.  Some of these desperate men had journeyed hundreds of miles to reach the hospital and be healed.

    There are so many people in this world who have been blinded by sin and death.  These lost souls need someone to guide them toward the ‘Great Physician.’  Like the Samaritan woman, those who have been enlightened are given the task of leading others to Jesus Christ.  As ‘reborn’ Christians, we become instruments in the hands of our almighty God.  If we are willing, He will use us to reach out to our family members, co-workers, friends, and even complete strangers.  One of our major tasks is to testify concerning the wonderful works that He has accomplished in the our lives, and in the lives of others who have placed their faith in Him.

“Lord Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  May we be amazed every day by Your righteous deeds and splendid miracles.  Help us to embrace our obligation to lead others to Your Son.  Provide us with opportunities to witness to those who are lost in darkness; that they would hear our words and desire Your righteous gift of eternal life.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!

A Stony Heart

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JESUS SPEAKING

     “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” (Matthew 30: 20 – 21)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     The gospel is a powerful force; like a raging river that gouges out valleys and tears apart mountains, the gift of salvation transforms lives. Many eagerly receive God’s message but lack the proper foresight; they do not understand the magnitude of the changes God intends to perform in their lives. Genuine faith is costly; the price of salvation is death; death to our old lives and sinful habits. We must willingly be destroyed in order to be remade in the image of Christ. Those whose hearts are stony initially experience a brief relationship with God, but desperately cling to their old familiar ways; thus abandoning their faith when it requires true change.
     As the story goes, when a famous gangster named Mickey Cohen was released from prison in the 1950’s, a Pastor by the name of Bill Jones made it his personal mission to convert him to Christianity. When Jones presented Mickey with the gospel, he said a prayer and accepted Jesus into his heart. Soon, word of his conversion spread, and many were amazed to hear that this once villainous mobster had turned to Christ. Although Mickey enjoyed being called a ‘Christian,’ he refused to live like one. He soon lost touch with Pastor Jones and began hanging around with his old buddies from the criminal underworld. The disheartened Jones confronted Cohen to tell him that as a Christian he needed to put some distance between himself and his old criminal associates. Puzzled, Cohen responded, “Jones, you never told me that I had to give up my career. You never told me that I had to give up my friends. There are Christian movie stars, Christian athletes, and Christian businessmen. So, what’s the matter with being a Christian gangster? If I have to give up all that – if that’s Christianity – then count me out.”
     Sadly, Mickey’s story is not that uncommon; out of the four different types of soil Christ describes, the stony heart can be the deadliest; for within it there exists the greatest propensity for self-deception. The belief that a verbal profession of faith without corresponding actions is sufficient for salvation is a lie. With their lips they affirm Christ, but with their lives they deny Him. Continuing in behaviors such as, pornography, fornication, drunkenness, idolatry, and dishonesty, etc., contradicts the rebirth that all Christians must undergo. Anyone who identifies with this type of soil, has one of two choices to make; continue forward in delusion or get honest with themselves and surrender to a new life with Jesus; a life of repentance; a life free from darkness and unrighteousness; a life lived as a disciple of Christ. May the Lord give us the courage, the strength, and the conviction to make the right choice.
     “Lord Heavenly Father transform us into the image of Your Son. May we lay down our old lives to take up our new ones. May our relationship with You be deep and meaningful. May our lives always confirm our verbal professions of faith. If we have not fully committed our lives to You, reveal to us the areas where we have refused to change; and by the power of Your Holy Spirit, help us to conquer them. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Serpents and Doves

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JESUS SPEAKING

   “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be wise as serpents and as harmless (innocent) as doves.” (Matthew 10: 16)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     Those who accept the Holy Spirit and forsake evil are cleansed of all unrighteousness.  They are made pure and holy; rendering them as innocent as doves.  And yet, unlike natural born children whose innocence is accompanied by ignorance, the ‘reborn’ child of God retains the knowledge of good and evil.  In the heart of every believer, innocence and wisdom exist in harmony.  The serpent that Jesus speaks about is a creature that symbolizes wisdom.  In Genesis, God created the serpent to be the wisest of all the animals.  Characteristically, snakes are rarely surprised, they are always aware of potential predators, and they are patient.  In an evil world, God’s eternal offspring must apply comparable wisdom to avoid destruction. How can we love those who are evil, while also making sure we don’t get eaten by them?  Only through God’s divine guidance can someone be both a serpent and a dove.

     Some years ago a man entered the coffee shop where I was studying; it was late and there were very few customers. He began speaking in a broken English accent and was behaving in a peculiar manner. He started drawing attention to himself by flirting with the workers behind the register.  When the employees were distracted, the man leaned over the counter and snatched some money from the tip jar; quickly concealing it.  I rose up and approached the counter.  When he turned around, I greeted him with a stern look. “Put it back,” I insisted.  “I’m so sorry” he replied; admitting to his thievery; he returned the money and asked for forgiveness.  He explained that he was starving and in desperate need of money.  My heart softened a bit and I informed him that what he really needed was Jesus.  I offered to help him so he didn’t have to steal.  I gave him a bible from my car and some money. After gratefully receiving these blessings, he departed.  Like a serpent, God gave me the wisdom to recognize evil and oppose it. And yet, like a dove, I avoided despising the man, and instead I showed him love, and I cared for him according to God’s will.

    The Lord has called every follower to be wise; equipping us with the ability to recognize and oppose evil. But believers must also be harmless and innocent; showing love and affection for those who oppose what is good. While the wicked seek to destroy the faithful, Christians are called to love, to serve, and to convert sinners.  Walk wisely in the ways of God,. Reach out to the lost and bring hope to the hopeless, and you will know the joy of the Lord forever.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom to avoid being harmed by evil while at the same time opposing it.  May we be kind to those who walk in darkness and be willing to love the wicked.  Let Your light shine brightly in us and through us, that we might direct others away from destruction and toward eternal life.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”  God bless all of you!

Being a Good Steward

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JESUS SPEAKING

    “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.  Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust true riches?  And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16: 10-12)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    There are two kinds of riches; earthly riches and heavenly riches.  The heavenly riches are eternal; and thus far more valuable.  The word ‘Mammon’ that Jesus uses in this scripture is a reference to earthly possessions; things entrusted to our care by God; like jobs, a car, a home, a wife or husband, money, a career, etc.)  God has given the earth and everything in it to mankind as a temporary possession.  Every man and woman is a steward of what God had given them.  A steward is defined as ‘someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else.’   How someone handles this mortal life, indicates whether or not they will inherit eternal life with God.

    Many years ago my Dad worked for a distributing company.  They owned many trucks, which necessitated the hiring of drivers.  He would often interview the prospective employees.  According to my Dad, as part of the interview he would accompany the individuals out to the parking lot where he would peer into their automobiles.  If their car was neat and orderly they might be hired.  However, if their automobiles were messy and in disrepair, they wouldn’t get the job.  Some of them would complain, but my dad would tell them, ‘If this is the way you take care of your car, this is the way you’ll treat our trucks.’  They had failed to take care of their possessions, so they were rejected from employment.

    Today, the things that we have in this life are not ours.  Our wives, our kids, our houses, our cars, our friends, our families, our bodies, and even our money; it all belongs to God, and we are tasked with taking care of what we’ve been given.  If we succeed in being good stewards of our current possessions, then we will receive for ourselves, eternal possessions from God.  If we haven’t lived as Christians in this life, how can we expect to receive eternal life?

    “Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You and we ask that You would give us the desire to serve You; that our possessions in this life might serve Your purposes and further the spreading of the gospel message.  May we be good stewards of what You have given us, that we might one day inherit true riches.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You; and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!

The New Temple

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JESUS SPEAKING

‘Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21: 42 – 44)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Many of the Jews rejected Jesus. In response He quoted an old testament prophecy that states ‘the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.’ A cornerstone is the first block laid down during the construction of a masonry foundation. Every other piece is set in reference to this one ceremonial stone, which ensures the proper orientation of the entire structure. Jesus came to destroy the old temple and to erect a new one in its place. This new temple is comprised of flesh and blood. God no longer dwells in sacred buildings; but instead He inhabits the hearts of all those who believe. Every faithful soul is a brick laid down upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Those who deny the Lord will be crushed by Him; but those who believe will fall upon Him and be broken. This brokenness permits God to use us according to His desires.

Many years ago, a researcher named Jack Lipton attempted to study how the members of 11 different major symphony orchestras perceived each other. He found that the percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, hard-of-hearing, and yet fun-loving. The string players were seen as arrogant, stuffy, and unathletic. The brass players were described as “loud,” whereas the woodwind musicians were held in the highest esteem; they were characterized as quiet, meticulous, but a bit egotistical. With such wildly divergent personalities and perceptions, how could these orchestras work together to create beautiful music? The answer was simple: regardless of how the musicians viewed one another, they sacrificed their biases and stereotypes in subordination to the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance they worked together to generate inspiring music.

In a similar manner, we as Christians are called to sacrifice our own desires and concerns for the greater good. When we lay down our lives and submit to God we become members of the Body of Christ; an interconnected structure of individuals that collectively represents the new temple; the physical manifestation of Christ on this Earth. Jesus is our cornerstone, and when we rest ourselves down upon Him, we become bricks in the Church; a structural instrument that creates beautiful music. May we find value in fellowship with one another; that our faith might continue to grow as God adds to His Church daily.

“Lord Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all honor and praise. May we be broken and added to the temple You have erected upon the foundation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to desire fellowship and embrace the gathering together of the brethren. Fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit, that we might be used to add to Your Church daily. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Hope

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I also go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know; and the way you know.” (John 14: 1-4)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus says, “let not your heart be troubled;” a clear reference to the anxiety, fear, and depression that can afflict the lives of those who have lost hope. The definition of hope is, ‘the feeling of joy and optimism experienced in the present, as it relates to the anticipation of some future good.’ By simply contemplating the wonders of God’s coming kingdom, those who believe can feel joy even in the darkest moments. Such a splendid hope can also eradicate the distress of any present suffering.

As the story goes, a large school system once had a program to assist children who were sick in the hospitals with their school work. One day a teacher was asked to visit a particular child. She spoke with the child’s regular teacher who told her, “We’re studying nouns and adverbs in his class now. I’d be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn’t fall too far behind.” That afternoon, the hospital teacher went to see the boy. No one had told her that the child had been badly burned and was in great pain. Upon witnessing the boy’s injuries she was upset and began to stammer. “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.” Having completed her session, she left; feeling as though she had accomplished very little. However, the next day a nurse asked her, “What did you do to that boy?” Believing she had committed some offense, the teacher began to apologize. “No, no,” replied the nurse. “You don’t know what I mean. We’ve been worried about that little boy, but ever since yesterday, his whole attitude has changed. He’s fighting back, responding to treatment. It’s as though he’s decided to live.” Two weeks later the boy explained that, until the teacher had arrived, he had completely given up hope. Everything changed when he came to a simple realization which he expressed this way: “They wouldn’t send a teacher to work on nouns and adverbs with a dying boy, would they?”

The child in this illustration had been struggling because he had lost hope in the future. If we have lost our joy in the present, it is because we have taken our eyes off of the eternal life we have been promised in the future. We are therefore instructed to look forward to our everlasting fellowship with Jesus in God’s kingdom. If we believe God, we can endure any trial or tribulation in this place. Never lose hope; never doubt the promises of the Lord; and you as well will experience “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.”

“Lord Heavenly Father, we trust You with our lives and believe in Your promises. Increase our faith, that no matter what circumstances we might encounter, we can experience the joy that accompanies our hope of eternal fellowship with You. May we continue to spread the gospel message to others; that they too might walk as Christians, from this day forward. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Receiving God’s Message

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JESUS SPEAKING

   “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given me out of the world.  They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.  Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.  For I have given them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that that You sent me.” (John 17: 6-8.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  As Jesus spoke directly to God in the presence of His disciples, He identified His task and acknowledged that it had been accomplished.  His duty was to make God known to all those who were willing to listen.  The true children of God heard Jesus, accepted Him as God’s messenger, and received His words as the words of God.  Still today the Lord is selecting individuals out of the world, to become His eternal possessions.  Anyone who accepts the message of Christ is a true child of God.  Those who follow God are saved, while those who ignore His message will perish.

    In 1912 the Titanic slipped beneath the icy waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly 1500 people joined the ship on its journey to the bottom of the ocean.  Although there weren’t enough lifeboats to carry all of the passengers, no one truly needed to die.  Most people are unaware that a large ship named ‘The Californian’ was less than 20 miles away that night (close enough to have saved most of Titanic’s passengers.)  ‘The Californian’ received some distress calls from the Titanic (via radio communication.) The crew also observed distress flares being fired from the titanic.  And yet, for some reason the Captain of ‘The Californian’ didn’t take these messages seriously, and returned to bed after hearing the reports.  During an official inquiry into the Captain’s actions, he remained elusive, continually changing his story; some even reported that he made attempts to doctor the log book and change their reported position on the evening of the tragedy.  The real circumstances of his inaction were never clearly identified.  Many still speculate that the Captain simply didn’t take the messages seriously.  He had heard the reports, but didn’t believe them, and for that reason 1500 people lost their lives.

   Jesus Christ, and the words that He spoke are God’s signal flares in a very dark and frigid world.  Some see the signals, and they are drawn to Him.  They see Jesus and know that He is God’s message, and because they believe in that message they are saved from death.  Sadly, no matter how many flares He sends up pointing to His Son, most will never take them seriously. Jesus Christ is God’s message to us all.  Those who respond, will follow Him and dedicate their lives to spreading His message.  May we all respond to God’s calling.

    “Lord heavenly Father, we come before You and ask You to increase our faith.  We desire to be Yours, and we believe Your message and accept Your words.  As we await the life You have promised us, we ask that You strengthen our hearts in this world, that we might accomplish Your work.  Give us a desire to spread Your message, that we would make more disciples.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”  God bless all of you!