JESUS SPEAKING
“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” (John 17: 13 – 18)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
This world, with all of its destructive values and carnal temptations persists in direct opposition to the righteous virtues that exist in God’s eternal kingdom. When we stand for Jesus, we are standing against the world, because like Christ, we are not of this world. We are governed by a higher set of laws; which, when exhibited properly, directly elicit hatred and disdain from individuals primarily driven by their fleshly appetites. As Christians, we choose to struggle against the worldly forces that are meant to induce our conformity.
Before the days of modern navigational aids, a traveler made the Atlantic crossing in a boat equipped with two compasses. One was fixed to the deck where the man at the wheel could see it. The other compass was fastened high on one of the masts; which the sailors would often be seen climbing up to inspect. As the story goes, a passenger once asked a captain, “Why do you have two compasses?” The captain replied, “This is an iron vessel, and the compass on the deck is often affected by its surroundings. Such is not the case with the compass at the masthead; that one is above the influence. We steer by the compass above.” We as Christians must do the same.
As we navigate through this hostile environment, our Christian lives are governed by God’s highest laws; values that exist above, and transcend this world’s passing pleasures and temptations. Abandoning selfishness, we cling to the fruits of the Spirit, which are ‘love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control,’ to name just a few. If we steer according to God’s higher compass, we will never lose our course.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we seek to accomplish Your will in this place. Guide us by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we might never be conformed to the carnal values of this passing life. As we walk in the truth and journey toward Your eternal kingdom, help us to remain focused on what is good and right. Strengthen us, that we may withstand the persecution which accompanies the expression of our Christian virtues. 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!
Jesus Speaks 