Month: March 2024

Eternal Treasure

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JESUS SPEAKING

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now He is comforted and you are tormented.” (Luke 16: 19 – 25)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Using a parable, Jesus confirms the inevitable journey of every human soul after death. There are only two potential destinations; Heaven or hell. Heaven (also known as Abraham’s Bosom prior to Christ’s resurrection.) is a place of eternal comfort, while hell is a place of everlasting torment. The central premise of this story is the rich man’s immense error. He enjoyed a carnal existence; indulging in the passing pleasures of this world without contemplating his eternal resting place. Following his selfish heart, He ignored the suffering of Lazarus at his gate, and thus incurred a life of suffering without end.

According to the bible, there once lived two brothers named Jacob and Esau. Esau was the eldest, and thus would eventually inherit most of his dad’s wealth. And yet one day Esau came in from the field and was exhausted and hungry. His younger brother Jacob was cooking some stew. Esau begged him for a meal. Jacob offered him a dish, but only in exchange for Esau’s birthright. Esau was so focused on feeding his flesh in a passing moment that he was blinded from comprehending the value of his future estate. His present hunger was all that mattered to him. And so he relinquished his right to an entire fortune in exchange for a bowl of soup.

Like that bowl of soup, this life is no more than a passing moment; especially when compared to our eternal inheritance with God in heaven. If we lose sight of that splendid destination we will begin to live according to the flesh. But if we remain committed to our Lord and Savior, then we will sacrifice our desires in the present to secure our future glory. We will therefore exhibit the virtues of selflessness, generosity, purity, kindness, mercy, and humility. Only the good things we accomplish for Christ will last forever.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we refrain from chasing after the passing pleasures of this life. Give us the strength to embrace selflessness, and thus accomplish good works in accordance with Your will. We are but humble servants; and so as we serve, may our hearts be glad and our minds be pure. 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!

Saving Sinners

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JESUS SPEAKS

“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9: 12 – 13)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The Pharisees loathed sinful outcasts. And yet Jesus came to save the lost. He mingled with many of the worst sinners; performing miracles and preaching a message of repentance and salvation. Repentance is a necessary component of the gospel message; it requires an individual to abandon their sinful living and embrace a life of purity. Because God is abundantly merciful, anyone, no matter how evil, can be reborn and forgiven; and walk as a follower of Jesus Christ.

There once lived a defiant prophet named Jonah. He hated the city of Nineveh and its wicked inhabitants with a passion. And yet, God commanded him to enter this evil city and preach a message of repentance; that they might be saved from impending destruction. In anger, Jonah refused to obey; instead he traveled in the completely opposite direction. During his journey he was cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish. After three days in the creature’s belly, he was spit up onto dry land. He finally obeyed his calling and entered Nineveh; urging them to repent of their evil ways. Surprisingly, the citizens listened and repented; thus ensuring their survival. However, when Jonah saw that the city was spared he lamented, saying, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. One who relents from doing harm.” Jonah, like the Pharisees, did not share God’s heart.

Our God is merciful. And like Jesus and Jonah, we have been sent to preach the gospel to sinners. If we share the Lord’s heart for the lost we will reach out to those who are walking in darkness. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit, may the light of Christ shine in us and through us, that others might hear the message of repentance and be saved. What an honor to be servants of the living God.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we reach out to those who are lost. May we love those who are living in sin, and preach the gospel to them. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and guide our actions. Speak in us and through us, that many would come to repentance and know the goodness of your forgiveness and 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!

Leaving Everything Behind

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (Luke 17: 28 – 33)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

When Jesus returns again, an event known as the rapture will occur. In an instant the faithful will be snatched up from the Earth to be with Christ. God will then pour out His wrath upon the world; ensuring the destruction of the wicked. Jesus admonishes His followers to remember Lot’s wife. As recorded in the Old Testament, she and her family were led out of the city of Sodom prior to its destruction. However, when she looked back at the wicked metropolis with affection, she was turned into a pillar of salt. When Christ returns, every believer must be prepared to abandon their worldly possessions and embrace eternal life with God.

Although there are many ways to catch a wild monkey, the Cumbuca trap used in Brazil is the most interesting. A hole is carved into a gourd, just large enough for the monkey’s empty hand to fit through; the gourd is then staked to the ground or attached to a tree. A tasty fruit is placed inside the gourd. A curious monkey will eventually shove its hand into the hole and grab the fruit. However, with a closed fist the monkey’s hand can’t fit back through the hole. All the creature needs to do to escape is to let go of the fruit it’s clutching. They are therefore captured by their love for the fruit.

In much the same way, this world is very fruitful. There are desirable things around every corner. Things that can be grabbed onto and held close; things like possessions, money, a reputation, a career, an addiction, or even a relationship. When Christ returns, those who are faithful must be prepared to let go of everything they are clutching; everything that does not have spiritual value will fade away; and those who refuse to relinquish their grip upon them, lack the affection for God needed to enter His Kingdom.

“Lord Heavenly Father, help us to be prepared for Your second coming. May we not cling tightly to the worldly possessions that can trap us and keep us from knowing genuine freedom. Give us an appetite for all things that are spiritually valuable. Strengthen us as we look forward to the arrival of Your eternal 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!