JESUS SPEAKING

Now as Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed and is dreadfully tormented.”  And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”  The centurion answered saying, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.  But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!  And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.”  And his servant was healed that same hour. (Mathew 8: 5-13.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The Roman Empire had conquered the Holy Land in 63 B.C., and due to a continued threat of rebellion, there were soldiers permanently stationed there in the first century.  A ‘centurion’ was an officer in charge of 100 soldiers; they were usually men of impeccable character.  This centurion came to Jesus and humbled himself; he publically confessed his own unworthiness and praised the Lord; in so doing he honored God’s Son.  Jesus then honored the centurion.  He publicly exalted the man’s faith, lifting him above every Jew in Israel.  God continues to honor those who are lowly, and who exalt Jesus.  Our savior has said in another portion of scripture, “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Being Jewish was, and is, no longer a sufficient requirement for receiving the promises of God.  Instead, only those who humbly place their faith in Jesus Christ (like the centurion) will one day celebrate in God’s eternal Kingdom (with Abraham Isaac, and Jacob.)

In 1924 a Scotsman named Eric Liddell was expected to win Olympic gold in the 100 meter dash.  Eric had grown up in a missionary family and was a committed Christian.  He had been raised to faithfully observe the Sunday Sabbath (a weekly day of rest commanded by the Lord in the Old Testament.)  When Eric found out that the 100 meter dash was scheduled for a Sunday, he made the decision to ‘sit it out.’  He was pressured to run by his countrymen and by many other powerful people, but he was convinced that honoring God on His day was more important than winning a medal.  A few months before the Olympics, he decided to begin training for the 400 meter dash (this event was not on Sunday; however he was not expected to do well.)  When the day of the race came, while Eric headed to the starting blocks, an American trainer put a piece of paper in his hand; written on the paper was a verse from 1 Samuel 2:30, which read, “Those who honor me I will honor.”  Eric ran that race for God, and not only did he win the gold medal, he also broke the world record.  He pushed his own desire for glory down and lifted God up for the world to see.  So in turn, God exalted Eric above his fellows (When he returned to Scotland, his college classmates hoisted him up on their shoulders and carried him through the streets.)

Placing God in His proper position demands humility.  Honoring Him requires selflessness.  Our own desires become less important and He becomes more important.  He is righteous and we are unrighteous; He is worthy and we are unworthy.  We forgo the glory so that God may have what is His.  Only those who raise Him up in this life will be raised up into everlasting life.  Here we die, so in the future we may live.  There are so many ways to glorify God.  We can make Him a continued topic of discussion in our personal relationships.  We can pray to God, and seek His counsel daily.  We can give credit to God for the good works that we do.  When we do something for another person, we can say, “This is from the Lord.”  When a person attempts to thank us, we can politely remind them that Jesus Christ is the one they should thank.  When other people call us good, we can instruct them that our goodness comes from God alone.  May we continually place the focus upon Him; may we give Him glory; may we always honor Him; so that one day we might receive the honor he has so graciously promised us.

“Lord Heavenly Father, please give us opportunities to honor and glorify You.  Grant us humble hearts.  We want to be close to You, even though we are unworthy.  Help us to lay down our own desires in this life, to serve You.  May we, through humility receive the gift of eternal life.  We love You Lord, we thank You, and we praise You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.

JESUS SPEAKING

“I pray for them.  I do not pray for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.  And all mine are Yours, and Yours are mine, and I am glorified in them […] I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17: 9, 10, 15 – 16.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

God chooses some out of the world to be his disciples; those who are chosen are given to Jesus Christ as a personal possession.  They are heavenly representatives who exemplify the character, quality, and nature of God.  Despite receiving salvation, those who are called remain in the world.  They undergo the same human experiences Christ himself endured; temptations, tribulations, persecutions, pain and suffering.  As foreigners, and strangers, God’s disciples bring light in to the darkness; they are never called to retract from the world, or to remain hidden.  Jesus Christ has said, “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Mathew 5: 14 – 15.)

Some years ago I began frequenting a coffee shop in my local community.  God had blessed me with full time work on the weekends, which enabled me to do ministry during the week.  I met with people in the café; I counseled those who were confused; I prayed for those in need; and I preached the gospel to those who were lost.  However, despite being used by God in powerful ways, this place was not without temptation; there were vast numbers of women coming and going (many were dressed inappropriately.)  As a man, it took great effort and a work of the Holy Spirit to control the lust of my eyes.  One day I was speaking to another minister about these temptations.  He told me that he frequented a coffee shop down the street that was virtually empty.  After a few visits to this new coffee shop, God spoke to my heart and condemned my separatist behavior.  To flee from a place because of temptation would be to abandon the people that God desired to reach the most.  To detach myself from the world for the sake of personal comfort was a selfish and ungodly act.  I returned to my place at the crowded coffee shop, and even today, God uses me to reach out to the lost, and to be a light to those who walk in darkness [Note: Wisdom is required; for example, a recovering alcoholic should not frequent bars and clubs.]

This world is full of evil; but in the darkness, a great light has shown; that light is the body of Jesus Christ, and it remains in this place.  God’s representatives must never retract or remain hidden; instead we are to carry His message (in word and in deed) to those who walk in darkness.  If we only fellowship with Christians we have become useless.  If we shun those who struggle, how can we help them to endure and to overcome?  When we are more concerned with our own personal comfort ahead of the salvation of souls, we have forsaken the first calling of God.  Give your lives to Jesus Christ, and reach out to the lost.  Carry the message to those who are dying, and you will know eternal life.  Bring the light of the Lord in to the darkness, and God will bless you beyond measure.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You and we ask for boldness and courage.  May we never retract from the world; instead, may we be a light in the darkness.  May others look at our good deeds and see Your Glory.  Strengthen us that we may endure temptation and suffering willingly for the sake of those whom You desire to reach.  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

JESUS SPEAKING

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘you shall not commit adultery.’  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  (Mathew 5: 27 – 28.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Pornography was as prevalent in ancient times as it is today.  Archeologists have uncovered rooms in many Roman homes, set apart for sexual debauchery (the walls and ceilings of these rooms were lined with images of people in erotic positions.)  Scholars have also discovered tens of thousands of sensual stone carvings; men and women, naked, exposed, and objectified; many small enough to be carried from place to place (likely an ancient form of mobile pornography.)  Similar sexually explicit images and carvings can be found in every culture, and in every generation; India, Asia, Egypt, Peru, and even Europe.  Despite the popularity of pornography, it is not profitable, proper, or permissible.  Every lingering stare and intense gaze has consequences.  To lust for someone who is not a husband or wife, whether naked or dressed, on the television or on the computer, in secret or in person is a sinful behavior.  Improper lust separates an individual from God, and is therefore a very serious and damaging activity (Note:  Proper lust is good; to lust for a God given companion is encouraged by The Lord; to stare at and be aroused by a husband or wife is an integral part of a healthy marriage.)

Improper lust has some very grave consequences.  ‘At a 2003 meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, two thirds of the 350 divorce lawyers who attended said the Internet played a significant role in the divorces in the past year; with excessive interest in online pornography contributing to more than half such cases.’  Also, ‘nearly 57% of pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually damaging issue to their congregation.’  Despite God’s command to refrain from indulging in pornography, many still seek to justify their disobedience; ‘29% of professing born again Christian adults in the U.S. feel it is morally acceptable to view movies with explicit sexual behavior.’  No amount of rationalization will ever make pornography acceptable.  To view erotic materials is to transgress against God Himself.  To watch others engage in sex acts is to join in with them.  For those who are married it is adultery, and for those who are single it is fornication.

Improper lust and pornography are spiritually, mentally, and morally debilitating.  They separate the believer from God; they destroy marriages and rip apart families; they promote promiscuity, lewdness, and idolatry.  They cause men and women to objectify one another; they encourage vice and exploitation (especially exploitation of children: “there are currently 20,000 images of child pornography posted on the web each week.”)  Pornography is a pathway that leads to increased evil.  According to Ted Bundy (one of the most notorious serial murderers in U.S. history) pornography eventually led him to commit multiple acts of rape and murder.  Today, we have a choice; do we engage in those things that God has condemned?  Or do we disobey our Lord and continue in sin?  Trust in Jesus Christ and turn away the lust of the flesh and you will know true fellowship with God [Note:  If you are struggling with lust and pornography, and desire to make a change, there are often accountability groups at your local church that can be of great benefit.  The quickest way to deal with any sin is to bring it in to the open; sharing your burdens with others can help you to overcome them.]

“Lord Heavenly Father, we seek clean hearts and proper minds.  Remove the lust from our hearts.  If we struggle with pornography, or any other sexual sin, we ask that You empower us to overcome them, that we may once again know true purity and holiness.  Father without You we can do nothing; we ask that our increased wholesomeness be a work of Your hands; that through our victory, You may be glorified.  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.