Category: devotional

God’s Messengers

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JESUS SPEAKING

“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me, receives the one who sent Me.  He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.  And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.  And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10: 40-42) 

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In the culture of Jesus’ day, communication across long distances was accomplished through the use of messengers.  The Emissaries of one king would deliver his message to another King. To mistreat a king’s messenger was to mistreat the king who had sent him. Most messengers were treated exactly the same as the king would’ve been treated. Upon completing their task, an emissary would then return home and report his experiences to His master.  How he had been treated would dictate the health of any future relations.

God sent His Son into this world, and in turn, Jesus Christ has sent His disciples into the world to baptize and to make more disciples.  Over two thousand years have passed, and the links in a long chain of God’s messengers has never been broken.  When you receive God’s messengers you are receiving God himself.  The way to identify a genuine messenger is to determine whether or not he or she has twisted the message; to alter it in any way is to bring destruction down upon one’s own head.  Jesus said, “My doctrine is not mine, but His who sent Me.  If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.  He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the one who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.”

There are many false teachers and false prophets living today. They are not connected to the Apostles, nor to Christ, or to our heavenly Father. Anyone who has distorted the message must be promptly rejected. And yet there are many genuine messengers who are presently preaching the gospel of Christ. This unchanging message is, ‘that anyone who repents and places their faith and trust in Jesus Christ can be forgiven, reborn, and reunited with God.’ Those who believe will inherit eternal life and are then called to be disciples.. May we continue to carry God’s message to all those who are lost.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we thank You for all that You have done, and for all that You are going to continue to do. May we carry Your message into the world. As we seek to make more disciples, give us the strength and the courage needed to boldly spread Your gospel truth without fear.  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!

Honor Your Father and Mother

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his home.” (John 19: 25 – 27)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Being Mary’s eldest Son, Jesus was obligated to care for His aging mother; who, during His earthly ministry, was likely a widow. Just moments before dying upon the cross, Jesus bequeathed His mother to the Apostle John; thus fulfilling the fifth commandment which states, “Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Honoring a parent entails elevating them to a highly esteemed position. Their words must be heeded and their righteous concerns obeyed. They must also be cared for and treated with great reverence and respect. Failure to do so constitutes a terrible sin.

As the story goes, an old grandfather once lived with his son’s family. His eyes were feeble, his hearing was dull, and his hands trembled. During dinner, his spoon would shake, spilling a portion of the meal across the table. Also, some of the food would dribble out from the side of his mouth. The man’s son and his wife became disgusted with this behavior. As a result, they made him sit in a corner behind the stove. He was also given an earthenware vessel to eat from. However, eventually he dropped the bowl and it shattered. The angry wife could no longer contain her emotions. “If you are a pig, then you must eat like a pig,” she screamed. They abruptly constructed a wooden trough from which he could eat. Some days later, they noticed their four year old son gathering tiny bits of wood together on the floor. “What are you doing there?” inquired his father. “I am making a little trough,” answered the boy; “for you and mother to eat from when I get big.” The child’s words caused the couple to cry. They immediately brought the grandfather back to the table; making no further mention of the messes created during their meals.

Like the couple in this fable, we are also called to honor our father and mother. To treat them with reverence and respect; no matter the circumstance. We have an obligation to ensure they are cared for and that all of their needs have been met. In so doing we will fulfill the fifth commandment, and thus enjoy the peace that accompanies every act of faithful obedience. May we be a blessing to our parents, that our Heavenly Father might pour out His blessings upon us.

“Lord Heavenly Father, You are an awesome and amazing God. As we yearn to obey Your commandments, fill our hearts with compassion and sympathy; that we might better honor and respect our parents. May we heed their words, listen to their instructions, and care for them when they are in need. 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!

The Simple are Wise

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JESUS SPEAKING

   At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, because it seemed good in Your sight.  All things have been delivered to Me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.  Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the son wills to reveal Him.” (Matthew 11: 25-27)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In the Jewish culture, youth was often associated with ignorance, inexperience, and stupidity.  Many believed that with old age came great wisdom.  Jesus however corrected this commonly held belief.  Wisdom concerning the Messiah and God’s plan of salvation couldn’t be attained through numerous years of careful study; instead, the truth could only be received as a gift from God.  Those who considered themselves intelligent were blinded by pride and chose to rely upon their own understanding. But the simple and the ignorant could more clearly see the value of God’s grace and the blessings of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Concerning intelligence and stupidity, there once lived a man named Sigmund Freud. He pioneered what we might now call the modern field of psychology.  In fact, many learned academics today consider him to be one of the most intelligent men who has ever lived.  And yet, most are unaware that at one point in his career he actively promoted the use of cocaine; believing it to be a cure for many of life’s common ailments.  He even encouraged his close acquaintances and compatriots to indulge in its use.  When one of his dear friends became horribly addicted to the drug, he observed the dangers of cocaine and anxiously recanted his previous promotions. He carried the guilt of his friend’s drug dependence for many years.  And so we can see that some of the most well educated and intelligent people are often the most horribly deceived.

     The truth is a gift from The Lord (it’s not something that can be earned or attained.)  Intelligence, although extremely useful, can sometimes blind those who trust in it more than God.  The Lord yearns for His children to trust Him completely.  Those who are simple, unlearned, and unwise, are often the first to realize the true value of God’s mercy and grace.  May we receive the gospel today as little children. May we believe with our whole hearts and embrace a simple faith.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, may we become as little children.  May we trust in, and rely upon You completely.  We pray for those who are intelligent and wise in their own minds; who place their faith in the achievements of men.  Reveal the truth to them; that they too might come to know and accept Your salvation and mercy. 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!