Need a Miracle?

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JESUS SPEAKING

“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10: 27)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Many people, when faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, will fall into despair. But those who trust in God will always retain hope, because according to Jesus, God regularly defies human understanding and accomplishes wonderful miracles. If we truly understand how powerful God is, then we can maintain joy, even in the darkest of times.

Concerning God’s power, we read of an old testament figure named Joshua, who led the Israelites into battle against the Amorites. God struck many of them down with hailstones, and delivered the rest into Joshua’s hands. As the Jews chased the retreating Amorites, God orchestrated a powerful miracle. He made the sun stand still in the sky for an entire day; preventing the darkness of night from hindering their annihilation of the Amorites. There is nothing that is impossible for God.

As Christians, no matter what obstacles we might face, we must never lose hope, but instead, we must always remember how powerful God is. He made the heavens and the earth; He controls the natural universe and sustains all those who are weary. May we never forget that God can, and will accomplish miracles whenever necessary.

“Lord Heavenly Father, whenever something seems impossible, may we remember that you are a miracle worker. For You there is no obstacle too big, nor any problem too menacing. Strengthen us in our hour of need and help us to trust in You, even when our human reasoning falters. 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!

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!