JESUS SPEAKING

                “Take heed to yourselves.  If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” (Luke 17: 3-4.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                God’s forgiveness is not without stipulation; those who desire His mercy must be merciful; those who yearn for His forgiveness must not withhold forgiveness from others.  Refusal to forgive is the first step on a journey that leads away from God.  Hatred, anger, and resentment have no place in the heart of the believer; unresolved bitterness creates division between God and man.  His true children desperately seek to be like Him; Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”   Every disciple seeks to defend the weak; to feed the hungry; to love the outcast; and to forgive others without exception or restraint (just as God Himself does.)  There are no limits to God’s perfect mercy; those who call Him Lord, are his representatives; as believers it is our duty to forgive unconditionally; reconciliation leads to revelation; for those who observe our limitless compassion have laid eyes upon the unseen and everlasting God.

                In 1956 five American missionaries flew in to the jungles of Ecuador to make contact with a hostile and war like tribe of Indians known as the Waodani.  All five men were speared to death.  The families were devastated by the loss; in one day, numerous children were orphaned, and many wives became widows.  Did the families seek vengeance?  Did they cry out for justice?  No […] instead Elizabeth Elliot (who had lost a husband), and Rachael Saint (who had lost a brother), heard the call of God and forgave the tribesmen unconditionally.  Elizabeth and Rachael continued to evangelize the natives, and the Waodani people eventually invited them in to their community.  One by one, the members of the tribe began to commit their lives to Jesus Christ.  The men who had perpetrated the murders expressed great joy in knowing that they had been forgiven by God (the women eventually formed lifelong friendships with these men.)  Out of love, the Waodani Church was born; a church that thrives to this day; they have put down their spears and have even begun to evangelize other tribes in the area (at great personal risk to themselves.)  This amazing work of God was only possible because two women were willing to completely forgive those who had harmed them; without limit or restriction.

                Forgiving others is not a suggestion, a recommendation, or a request; it is a command; a command that heals both the forgiver and the forgiven.  Animosity toward others distances us from God.  Is there anyone you are angry with?  Has someone caused you pain?  Is there someone you need to forgive?  Search your heart; dig deep; and ask God to give you the courage, and strength to let go of your resentment; to lay down your hatred; to do away with your bitterness; and in turn, He will give you peace […] and your heart will overflow with joy as you grow ever closer to the God of forgiveness and mercy. 

                “Lord Heavenly Father, search our hearts and reveal to us any resentments.  If there is hidden hatred, bring it to our attention and help us to forgive completely.  May we love as You have loved.  May our forgiveness be as Yours.  May we be kind to those who have harmed us; may we bestow compassion on those who have treated us poorly; and may we be examples of Your great mercy.  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 I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”  Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that he took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.  As he prayed, the appearance of his face was altered, and his robe became white and glistening.  And behold, two men talked with him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.  But Peter and those with him were very sleepy; and when they were fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him […]while he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son.  Hear him!”  When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen (Luke 9: 27-36.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Jesus told his disciples that some of them would see God’s Kingdom before they died.  Eight days later, Peter, James, and John witnessed God’s perfect order.  They were suddenly awakened by a splendid vision; a revelation of Jesus Christ in his glorified state.  His garments were as white as snow, and they shimmered with astonishing beauty.  His face shown like the sun and illuminated Moses and Elijah (two Old Testament prophets who appeared with him.)  In the Kingdom of God, Jesus is the source of all light.  He is not just a man; nor is he merely a prophet; he is the physical manifestation of God Himself.  The Father’s glory (or light) radiates from His Son and fills every corner of heaven; those who enter the Kingdom glow as they absorb the light of Christ [In the Old Testament, Moses climbed to the top of Mount Sinai to speak with God.  During his conversation he requested that God appear to him.  For Moses’ sake the Lord refused; but he did allow him to see His glory (or radiant glow.) In Exodus 33, we read, ‘Then He said […] “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live […] So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand […] Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”  Moses had absorbed the glory of God and his face continued to shine as he descended the mountain.  The glow was so brilliant that the children of Israel were afraid; to calm their fears, Moses covered his face with a veil.]

                In life, truly incredible moments are rare; instances of such great peace and joy that if it were possible to stop time, we would live in those moments forever.  My moment occurred one summer on the shores of Lake Superior.  As a child, my family often vacationed at our cabin near the beach; we would go hiking, fishing, and boating; we relaxed around an open fire and cook hot dogs and marshmallows.  We also went swimming and water skiing, but the lake was never warm; in fact, it was down-right frigid.  One morning, my cousin and I had spent too much time in the water; (I’m sure we came out with our bodies shivering and our teeth chattering.)  Luckily there was an asphalt road right next to the beach that would heat up by midday.  On that nearly unused highway, my cousin and I stretched ourselves out like lizards; the sun warmed our backs, and the road warmed our bellies; in that moment I experienced a feeling of complete peace.   Encased in the warmth of the sun, I was whole.

                One day, the Lord’s true servants will exit this cold and dark world, and will enter in to the light and warmth of Jesus Christ (the glory of God.)  All of God’s children will live in the splendor that emanates outward from Him; and every believer will be transformed in the presence of their messiah.  Those who inherit eternal life will exist in communion around the one true and living God.  From Him flows life, and love, and peace without end.  Are you looking forward to seeing God face to face and basking in His glory?  Are you able to comprehend the goodness of that future time?  Are you prepared to enter the rest that Jesus Christ has been preparing for you? 

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we live in a cold world, but one day we will live eternally with You in Glory.  Strengthen us Father, that we may always do what is right.  May we guide others to Your Son; may we strive to save the souls of those who are lost.  May we always be pleasing to You; help us to be a light to others; that many may see our good deeds and desire You.  We look forward with great joy, to our future time with You in Your Kingdom.  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

                [The Lord had just finished healing a blind man; but Jesus was gone by the time the man’s eyes had completely healed.  The Pharisees, seeking to expose Jesus as a fraud, brought the man in for questioning.  After a lengthy examination, the Pharisees banned the man from their synagogues because they hated their messiah.] […] ‘Jesus heard that they had cast him out (the blind man he had healed); and when he had found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”  He answered and said, “Who is he Lord that I may believe in him?”  And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen him and it is he who is talking with you.”  Then he said, “Lord, I believe!”  And he worshipped him.  And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”  Then some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these words, and said to him, “Are we blind also?”  Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘we see.’  Therefore your sin remains”’ (John 9: 35 – 41.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                There are two kinds of disciples; those who can be taught, and those who can’t.  Although there are many reasons why some students fail to learn, the most pervasive is pride; a student who already knows everything is no longer teachable (rigid intellectualism is stupidity impersonating true wisdom.)  Those who possess great knowledge are often the most misinformed.  For example, many religious leaders who interacted with Jesus were very well educated; they were proud of their intellectual superiority; they were blinded by pride and they rejected the Son of God.  In turn, when Jesus Christ chose his followers, he did not seek scribes or rabbi’s; nor did he approach priests and Holy men.  He did not scour the ancient centers of higher education; nor did he hunt for scholars at the great theological institutes of his day; instead, he lovingly embraced fishermen, prostitutes, and tax collectors; he selected them because they were eager to admit their ignorance (and to listen in humility); because they were willing to learn, societies outcasts became God’s first choice.

                Historically, surgeons have been society’s most well educated professionals.  In the 1800’s most surgeons wore white butcher’s aprons; as they operated on different patients, more blood would accumulate on them.  Most Doctors refused to wash them, because a strange but powerful custom had arisen; a surgeon was considered accomplished based upon how bloody his apron was (the more blood, the better the surgeon.)  During this time, a young doctor named Joseph Lister was conducting medical research; he discovered that 40-50% of amputee victims died from secondary infections (infections that resulted from the procedures themselves).  He proved that cleanliness and disinfection of surgeons, instruments, and staff, would reduce the amputee mortality rate to 15%.  The results of his research however, brought him in to conflict with the majority of his colleagues.  Most surgeons scoffed at his suggestions because it meant they would have to give up their bloody aprons.  Many educated men became unwilling to learn.  Their delay in applying Dr. Lister’s suggestions caused the deaths of thousands of patients.  Although the changes were slow, they were eventually established.  By the time Joseph Lister retired in 1893, nearly every medical institution had implemented his sanitation procedures.

                Pride can blind even the most intelligent people; much learning often stands in the way of true comprehension.  Those who know everything are not teachable (and unable to follow God.)  Those who admit their ignorance and let go of any ideas that oppose the teachings of Jesus Christ, are wiser than all of the scholars, scientists, and doctors who have ever lived.  Disciples must become blind before they can see; they must be ignorant before they can attain true wisdom; they must be willing to lay down human understanding, before they can pick up the cross.  Listen to the Lord and He will guide you; have faith in Him and you will know truth; follow Him, and you will enter in to everlasting peace [Note:  Not all educated people are ungodly; God has gifted many people with great minds; there are also many uneducated people who reject Jesus Christ.  Learning is very beneficial, but only if it does not oppose the teaching of the Lord.]

                “Lord Heavenly Father, may we be Your disciples; may we be blind to the wisdom of the world.  Help us to know the difference between prideful philosophies, and beneficial information; that we may always choose what is good and reject what is evil.  Teach us, instruct us, and make us willing to learn.  We admit that we are ignorant, and in humility we ask You to lead us.  We desire to have childlike faith; may we trust You completely, and may we know the blessings of Your eternal wisdom.  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!