The Greatest Treasure

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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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13: 44 – 46)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this parable a man finds a treasure hidden in a field and immediately recognizes its value. Without hesitation, he sells all of his possessions and purchases the plot of land. The treasure found in this field is meant to represent the Gospel message. As followers of Christ, if we have been reborn and truly understand the value of salvation, then we will seek to share this message with those who are lost.

Jim Elliot was a man who understood the power of the Gospel message, and the need to help others discover the treasure of salvation. In the 1950’s, he felt called by God to journey to the jungles of Ecuador, where he married his wife (a fellow missionary.) In 1956, they sought to make contact with a warlike, and godless tribe of natives known as the Auca/Waodani. Understanding the risks, Jim and four other Christian men attempted to make contact with the tribe. All four men were speared to death by the savages and died as Martyrs. Although their bodies were buried, obviously these men are not dead, but alive with Christ. Prior to his physical death, Jim Elliot wrote an inspiring sentence in his journal. It reads, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (Through the continued efforts of Jim’s wife and other missionaries, many of the Auca/Waodani tribe eventually converted to Christianity.)

If you have never discovered the gift of eternal salvation, then I encourage you to ask God to reveal Himself to you. The Spirit of our living Lord is prepared to enter the hearts and minds of all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. If you desire this everlasting treasure, you can receive it at any time and be reborn. May all those who seek the truth find their Savior.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your mighty works. May we comprehend the value of Your gift of salvation and eternal life. May we receive You in a worthy manner, and spread Your gospel to the ends of the earth. 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!

Shining Brightly

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JESUS SPEAKING

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it provides light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mathew 5: 14 – 16)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

It is impossible for a Christian to remain unrecognized. To stay hidden is to fail to fulfill God’s purpose. Every genuine believer is called to be different; to stand out; to be set apart; loving where there is no love; serving in the midst of selfishness; faithfully encouraging others; nurturing the sick; caring for the needy; filling the hearts and minds of many with hope and joy. Genuine faith inevitably produces an abundance of good works. As disciples we are set apart; we are a light in a dark world; we are divine instruments that point toward the one true and everlasting Father.
Of all the planets and stars that glow in the night sky, one of the brightest is the North Star (known as Polaris.) Resting in a sea of stars it outshines most of its neighbors. Every other star in the northern hemisphere travels across the sky; Polaris however, remains fixed; a characteristic that proved useful to ancient mariners who sought to navigate the open oceans. The North Star’s brightness and stability make it easy to recognize; a heavenly body that is not readily confused with the thousands of dimmer objects that surround it.
Like the North Star, the believer is by far the brightest and most stable object in the lives of those around them. In a sea of unbelievers, the followers of Jesus Christ standout; they are unique. Filled with compassion, charity, and peace, they are easily recognized. They orient others by pointing them toward God (who is the source of all love and mercy.) If you have received the salvation of the Lord, then you too are different. Don’t seek to remain hidden. Instead, let the light of Christ shine through you; that others may see your good works and know that there is a God who loves them.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to be different. We desire to be more loving, more caring, and more giving. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and help us to shine brightly in this dark and often cold world. May others see our good works and be drawn to You; the loving Creator and everlasting Father. 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!

Self-Harm and Demonic Possession

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JESUS SPEAKING

‘And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces. Neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You don not torment me.” For He had said to him, “Come out of the man unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Also he begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to Your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.’ (Mark 5: 7 – 27)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus cast the evil spirits out of a demonically possessed man. Once expelled, the demons entered a nearby herd of pigs, prompting them to commit suicide by running into the sea. We can gather much information from this scripture concerning the signs of demonic possession. Increased strength, a desire for isolation (especially pushing away those who care), as well as behaviors that are characterized as self-harm (cutting, burning, inflicting injury against one’s own flesh.) And of course suicide is the eventual culmination of a demon’s desires.

On December 14th 2012, an armed man named Adam entered a grade school and perpetrated the mass murder of many young children prior to committing suicide. This evil individual showed all of the signs of demonic possession. At an early age he became obsessed with mass murder. Making lists of the top casualty shooters of all time. In 5th grade he submitted a creative writing story that focused on the murder of children, cannibalism and taxidermy. Over the years he withdrew from everyone, until in the 10th grade he left his classmates to be home schooled. During this time he connected with a group of others online who loved violence, and were interested in mass murder. He also expressed desires of a perverted nature. After graduating in 2009, his situation worsened. He stopped coming out of his room entirely, and like the demoniac in scripture, he sought complete isolation; covering up his windows with black garbage bags and only communicating with his parents via email. He complained that sunlight caused him pain, and sought to live in the shadows. Concerning self-harm, he eventually became anorexic, (starving himself to 112 pounds with a six foot frame); he also started using a lighter to burn his skin. Now he has entered the eternal judgement from which he can never escape.

Demonic possession is as real as the day is long. There are no shortage of examples that we can examine in our culture today. And yet, although some, like Adam, have succumb to the demons and accomplished evil acts (often culminating in suicide), many afflicted souls are still being set free by the Son of God. As we continue to spread the Gospel, may we experience joy as we observe the demons being cast out of those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.

“Lord Heavenly Father, by means of Your Holy Spirit, give us the strength to cast out demons in Your name. May You set free all those who are oppressed, and give hope to the hopeless. May we serve You in this endeavor, knowing that You have the power to transform even the worst sinners. 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!