Month: November 2023

The Word of God

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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)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Fasting is a practice which elevates an individual’s inward Spirit above the desires of their flesh. While fasting in the wilderness for forty days, Jesus was tempted by the devil, who implored Him to perform a miracle that would end His hunger. The Lord promptly rebuked Him; quoting an old testament passage that emphasizes the sustaining power of God’s word and the importance of obeying the Scriptures. Food is beneficial for our bodies, but the word of God is nourishment for our souls.

As the story goes, a Haifa policeman who knew his Bible well, began chasing a gang of smugglers. The criminals had used a donkey-drawn carriage to escape. Although the smugglers got away, the policeman managed to capture some of the donkeys. The wise officer made excellent use of his knowledge of scripture; in particular, Isaiah 1: 3, which says, “the ox knows his owner, and the donkey, his master’s crib.” He withheld food from the beasts of burden for several days before turning them loose. The hungry animals led the police directly to the smuggler’s hide-out!”

Those who desire a close relationship with God and a mastery over their fleshly desires must seek-out and become familiar with the Holy Scriptures. The word of God is sacred and eternal; it is a teacher and friend to all those who yearn to accomplish God’s will. When we lack knowledge and seek guidance, we need only turn to the bible for answers. Our Spirits feed on the word, and thus a healthy Spirit will devour, cherish, and commit to memory, the sacred scriptures.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts. Apart from You we can do nothing, but with You, we can accomplish great things. May we feed on Your word in our hearts, and use the scriptures to guide our thoughts and actions. Sustain us through the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we might withstand temptation and overcome suffering. 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!

Making Amends

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JESUS SPEAKING

    “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5: 23-24.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  Human beings exist within complex social structures comprised of family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and even complete strangers.  Our relationship with others is a reflection of our relationship with God.  When we sin against our neighbor, we also sin against the Lord.  If we desire God’s forgiveness, we must seek the forgiveness of our fellows. Jesus has taught us that we are to approach those we have harmed and ask for forgiveness; making restitution whenever possible. In so doing we will draw closer to the Lord. This commandment, known as ‘making amends,’ remains an essential Christian doctrine.

Many years ago, before becoming a Christian, I began working a 12-step program; a system designed to help drug addicts and alcoholics achieve sobriety. The creators of the first six steps were Christians; a gathering of believers known as the Oxford Group.  As a result, the steps were inspired by the teachings found in the book of James, the Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians, verse 13.  After becoming a Christian, I discovered that Christ’s command concerning amends likely inspired the founders to create the 8th and 9th steps (a broadening of the restitution step created by the oxford group.)  The eighth step reads, “Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.”  The ninth step reads, “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”  From 2005 until now, I’ve continued making amends to those I’ve harmed; making restitution and asking for forgiveness.

    Today, in order to move forward with God, we might consider delving into our past; making a thorough examination of our previous mistakes.  If we’ve stolen from anyone, we must pay them back; if we’ve lied, and those lies have caused hardship, we can return to them and speak the truth.  If we’ve mistreated others and created resentments, we must humble ourselves and request forgiveness. Making amends is an essential Christian practice.

    “Lord Heavenly Father, bring to our remembrance the names of those we have harmed; may we approach them and make restitution.  Give us the courage, the strength, and the humility to ask for forgiveness; that we might be reconciled to those who resent 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!

Christians are Strange

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JESUS SPEAKING

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3: 6 – 8)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The wind is an invisible force that can demolish buildings and uproot large trees. Yet the origin and destination of any significant gust is imperceptible. The Spirit of God is also invisible, yet it has the power to transform lives and accomplish the impossible. Those who accept the gospel receive the Holy Spirit and are born again. Their origin and eventual destination are clearly discerned; they come from God and will one day return to Him; their lives are changed in the most meaningful ways. Those who possess no knowledge of God are baffled by Christians; their behaviors are considered strange and peculiar. ‘Why be selfless?’ ‘Why serve others?’ ‘Why embrace honesty and integrity at the expense of profits and material possessions?’

In first Peter 1 verse 4 we read, “In regard to these (sinful behaviors), they will think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.” Many years ago, after becoming a Christian, I worked as a sales representative for a local business. Around the holiday season, a delivery driver decided to give small calendars away to all the male employees. He entered my office and threw one of them onto my desk. Much to my dismay, there was a pornographic image of a woman on the front. I told him I didn’t want the item and gave it back to him; making it known that I didn’t look at pornography. He seemed shocked, offended, and even a bit angry. To him, my reaction was odd; my behavior was strange. In his mind all men enjoyed looking at pornography.

To those who are not saved, the manner in which Christians live is considered peculiar and strange. The ungodly are ruled over by their fleshly desires; they live to satisfy themselves now. They cannot see the end from the beginning; and so they embrace sin with enthusiasm. Still, in every generation there are Christians dwelling in the midst of the masses. They follow what is good and lasting; denying their fleshly appetites to satisfy God’s will. They are a light in the darkness.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we pray for those who are lost; may they see your good works and be driven to the foot of the cross. May they be reborn and embrace virtue, love, and mercy. Pour out Your Spirit into our hearts, that we might be used to spread the gospel and bring others to salvation. 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!