JESUS SPEAKING

                “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle,and said, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen” (Mathew 20: 1-16.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                In the parable, the landowner represented God in the form of Jesus Christ.  The ‘first workers’ represented the men (the Pharisees and religious leaders) that God had called to minister to the world; these men had been faithful for many years; some their whole lives; they had avoided lying, adultery, and drunkenness; they prayed, and observed the feasts and the commandments of God.  They felt that their own efforts and righteous deeds had earned them a distinguished place with The Lord.  The sinners of the world were represented by the ‘later workers,’ who had lived the majority of their lives in sin.  Jesus (‘the landowner’), had been calling all sinners to repent; many prostitutes and tax collectors were being baptized and turning to God; they began to do the work of the Lord, side by side with those who had never strayed from the path of righteousness.  In the parable, the ‘day’s wage’ represented the gift of salvation; the free gift offered to all mankind (irrespective of past works.)  The religious leaders hated Jesus, because he had made them equal to new converts; they felt entitled to a greater reward from God for their many good deeds.  Those who received what they did not deserve glorified God; those who believed salvation had to be earned, despised the grace of God in order to glorify themselves.  Some thing’s can never be earned, they can only be received.

                Many years ago, I was working in sales when the economy crashed.  One day, I was called in to my manager’s office, and I was ‘let go.’  I picked up my last check, and began looking for work full time.  I sent in untold numbers of resumes and went on countless interviews.  No call backs, no second interviews; I continued in this strenuous routine for nearly five months, until rejection after rejection finally produced within me, great discouragement and despair.  I decided to stop striving so hard to find work, and instead I committed my future to the Lord.  I began to work for free and to serve God and others.  I started volunteering at a non-profit, a local church, and a senior center.  I visited an orphanage, and continued doing outreach in the community.  A couple of months later, I received a call from some company I don’t remember submitting a resume too.  I was hired to be a caregiver, and to help a needy man with his daily living needs.  God had used many months of disappointment to humble me.  He brought me to the point at which I was able to receive the job as a blessing and not a wage.  I didn’t get the job because I had worked hard; nor was I overly qualified.  Instead it was a gift I gratefully received from God.

                Today, there are many people who believe that they deserve God’s favor; they emphasize self-righteousness and human effort.  But Jesus Christ came to offer something that cannot be earned; he came to bring salvation to those who are willing to say “I am unworthy.”  Apart from the cross, no human being can be right with God.  Those who follow Christ rejoice in knowing that they are freely forgiven; they stand side by side with those who have labored long in the faith.  All believers are drawn together as one by the sweet blood of God’s only begotten Son.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You today, and we accept Your free gift of salvation.  Give us the humility to grab hold of Your mercy and grace.  Help us to avoid being judgmental; may we rejoice with new believers, knowing that they have received the same great gift that You have given us.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.    

JESUS SPEAKING

            “But why do you call me Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6: 46.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            ‘Lord,’ or ‘master,’ is a title that implies supreme authority.  Every master employs servants.  A faithful servant obeys his master without question.  An unfaithful servant says he will obey but does not.  The faithful and unfaithful have this in common; both can hear the word of God.  But hearing alone accomplishes very little.  Many atheists have read the bible; those who hate Christ have some knowledge of scripture; the devil himself excels in his understanding of divine truth.  Yet understanding and knowledge are meaningless without genuine obedience.  What distinguishes the faithful from the unfaithful isn’t years of contemplation and careful study; rather, it is the daily application of God’s word; those who fully implement the actions of Jesus Christ, serve the one true and living God.

            Jesus said, “You are the light of the world […] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Recently, after reading this scripture, I chose to implement it; I began by buying brownies for the coffee shop employees; I attached a card thanking them for their wonderful service.  I then delivered brownies to the bank employees and wished them a Merry Christmas.  I also bought and delivered a small Christmas snack to an acquaintance who works at the grocery store; and another to a friend in the coffee shop.  I gave a gift to an employee at the gym.  I then bought and delivered a toy to the church office for the Christmas toy drive.  While answering the prayer lines at the church I gave Christmas gifts to everyone in the front office.  When I arrived at work later in the day, I handed a Christmas gift to my co-worker.  Then I shared my dinner with the client I work for.  I had been obedient to the teaching of the Lord, and he used me to bring Him Glory.  Reading God’s word is one thing; applying it is another.

            Often, when you read the word of God, you have accomplished half of the necessary task.  When you listen to a sermon you have received inspiration that demands application.  Faith in its complete form is an action.  Faithful servants hear the words of Jesus Christ and do them.  If you desire obedience, become familiar with your masters teachings; read His word daily; and seek (with all your heart) to carry out His desires in the lives of all those you meet. [Note:  Knowledge of the Lord’s commands is necessary.  In the bible, ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ is one the most concise and condensed summaries of the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Become very familiar with this section of scripture.  The discourse begins in Mathew Chapter 5 verse 1, and ends in Mathew chapter 7, verse 27.]   

            “Lord Jesus, we want to be doers of Your word.  May Your inspiration find its application in our lives.  Teach us Your precepts and fill our hearts with Your commands.  Give us the opportunities to accomplish Your will in this world.  May all of our deeds exemplify Your love for others.  May we lay down our lives to serve You; our Lord and our master!  We love You Jesus, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Your name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.

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 true Christian to remain unrecognized.  To stay hidden is to fail to fulfill God’s purpose.  Every true believer is called to be different; to stand out; to be set apart; loving where there is no love; giving where selfishness reigns; faithfully encouraging others; nurturing those who are sick; caring for the needy; filling the hearts of others with hope and joy.  Genuine faith produces an abundance of good works.  God’s people are set apart; they are a light in a dark world; they are divine objects that point toward a loving and everlasting Father.

            Of all the planets and stars outside the earth’s atmosphere, the brightest is the North Star (it is actually the planet Venus.)  Nearly all stars travel across the night’s sky; yet due to the Earth’s spin, Venus remains fixed; a characteristic that made it useful to ancient mariners who sought to navigate the open ocean.  The North Star’s brightness also made it the easiest star for sailor’s to recognize.  In a sea of stars, it outshines all of the others.  It cannot be confused with the thousands of dimmer stars that fill the heavens.  [Some time ago, I was walking through Wal-Mart, browsing.  The store was filled with people.  I was smiling at people as they passed by (as is my custom.)  Suddenly a woman who was inspired by my positive acknowledgement, stopped and came back up to me and said, “Thank God someone is smiling in this place.”  After our brief interaction, she continued forward.  She had seen in me the joy of the Lord; the light of Christ; something peculiar and rare, but refreshing and welcomed.]

            Like the North Star, the believer is by far the brightest object in the lives of those around them.  In a sea of (dimly lit) non-believers, the followers of Jesus Christ standout; they are different; they can be easily recognized; they are filled with love, charity, and compassion.  Their hearts overflow with kindness, joy, and peace.  They orient others by pointing them upward toward God (who is the source of all love and mercy.)  If you have received the salvation that is from God, then you are different; do not seek to remain hidden.  Instead, let the light of The Lord shine through you; so 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 unloving world.  May others see our good works and be drawn to You; the God who loves them.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.