Category: devotional

Glorifying God

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JESUS SPEAKING

  ‘Now around the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this man know letters, having never studied?” Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not my own, 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 that 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.” (John 7: 14-18.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  The educated men listening to Jesus speak were astonished at His perfect knowledge of scripture. Unlike them, He had never attended any notable Hebrew schools; nor had He sat at the feet of some prominent rabbi. Instead, His knowledge and wisdom came from God. Many of the Jewish Scholars demanded praise and admiration for their many years of extensive learning; Jesus however, sought only to honor and glorify God. Chasing after our own glory is a vain and empty endeavor; but seeking to glorify God and His only Son is the Christian way of life.
  One man who thoroughly understood this principle of righteous humility was John the Baptist. When Jesus began baptizing people in the Jordan river, John’s followers became concerned, saying “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him.” John replied, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven […] He must increase, and I must decrease.” John’s heart was devoid of selfish pride; he humbled himself and glorified the Son of God.
    Although Jesus Christ reigns in heaven, His deeds continue upon this Earth. He performs many miracles through his disciples. Some however, who selfishly desire glory, may take credit for God’s works. And yet a trustworthy servant renders to God the praise and honor He deserves. Glorifying God requires humbling ourselves. He must increase and we must decrease. As followers, we must forgo admiration so that God may receive what is rightfully His? Those who honor God in all things will receive an eternal reward.
  “Lord Heavenly Father, may You increase as we decrease. May we let go of our selfish desires for praise, that You would receive the credit for the good works that You are accomplishing in us, and through us. May we continue to be vessels of Your love and messengers of Your mercy. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit Lord, and may we always be pleasing to You. 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!

Avoiding Dirty Language

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JESUS SPEAKING

     “Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemes.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” (Matthew 15: 16 – 20)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     The Jews believed that eating with unwashed hands rendered them spiritually unclean, thus hindering their relationship with God.  And yet this particular sanitary practice of washing before meals isn’t found anywhere in the Old Testament scriptures, but is instead derived from the opinions and traditions of the Rabbis (the teachings of men.)  God dwells in the human heart and not the stomach; therefore when an individual’s words and deeds are righteous, the presence of God is revealed in them.  But the existence of deception and filthy talk reveal a heart that is defiled.

     I recently attended a function where I had the opportunity to interact with an old reverend who had spent his life and career supposedly representing Jesus Christ.  When he addressed the group, he used an innocent analogy concerning life, yet in his rendering he made use of a dirty word.  This peculiar occurance was later followed by a joke which included a reference to the attire worn by strippers.  Needless to say, whether right or wrong, I left there questioning the purity of his heart and his commitment to God.

     Without a doubt, the things we do and say are expressions of our relationship with God; especially the cleanliness and purity of our language.  When we present ourselves as Christians, others will look to us as an example of how Christianity should be practiced.  There is no faster way to destroy our testimony and cast a shadow over our faith than to use foul language and engage in filthy talk.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit and cleanse our hearts of all unrighteousness, that we might accomplish Your good works and exemplify Your purity and cleanliness.  May our tongues be filled with encouragement and kindness.  Provide us with opportunities this week to witness to those You have placed in our path.  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!

Why People Reject Christ

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JESUS SPEAKING

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3: 18 – 21)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

According to Jesus Christ, those who refuse to believe in the gospel are driven by a singular desire; to continue in sin without conviction. Jesus is the light, and those who are willing to confront their sins and repent will draw near to Him. Yet those who are unwilling to abandon their sinful behaviors will avoid Christianity at all costs; they may even choose to persecute those who represent Jesus. For many who embrace darkness, the light is their enemy.

Every night around the world there are clubs and bars that thrive on and promote drunkenness and promiscuity. They shut the windows and turn down the lights; creating an environment where people can forget who they are and sin without conviction. Still, although they embrace the darkness for a time, these establishments must eventually close. When they need people to leave, they do one essential thing; they simply turn on the lights. In the light people can see themselves again for who they truly are, and the cover of darkness is broken. The patrons will then exit without delay.

Like clubs and bars, this world is a very dark place; full of sinfulness and debauchery; but Jesus Christ and His followers are the light that shines in the darkness. His presence convicts the world of sin; revealing the truth for all to see. Some will encounter that light and be transformed. Others will be convicted and because they refuse to change, they will attack the light. They will rage against Christianity and persecute anyone who dares to spread the gospel.

“Lord Father in Heaven, we desire to carry your light into the darkest places. Give us the strength and the courage to withstand any persecution we will endure on Your behalf. Please continue to make us better Christians and better messengers of Your will. May those who walk in darkness see the light and be transformed by it. 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!