Category: devotional

Faith is Meant to Grow

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

   Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.  Therefore, He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.  So, he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’  But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’  “And so, it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.  The first one came and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’  He said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you are given authority over ten cities.’  And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise, he said to him, ‘You also will rule over five cities.’  “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief; for I feared you, because you are a stern man.  You collect what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’  In turn he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant.  You knew that I was a stern man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.  Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’  “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’  But they said to him, ‘Master, he already has ten minas.’”  He replied, ‘I say to you, that to everyone who has, more will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me’” (Luke 19: 11-27.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

   Jesus uses a parable to express His impending departure and eventual return.  Parables are short stories used to express some deeper spiritual truth.  Every character in a parable correlates to a real-life counterpart.  In this parable, the nobleman who ventured into a far country and became a King is Jesus Christ, who ascended into heaven and now reigns with divine authority; He also will return one day.  The rebellious citizens exemplify those who rejected Jesus as their messiah. The crowd He gathers together before his departure represents His disciples.  Jesus gives every follower a different sum of money; which corresponds to a differing measure of faith.  When the Lord returns one day, every believer will be asked to give an account of their stewardship.  The servants who report an increase represent those who have put their faith to work; they have accomplished good deeds, served others, and attempted to spread the gospel message.  The unwise servants who did nothing with what he had been given will be stripped of their possessions and numbered with the transgressors. Those who have been faithful will receive eternal life; but those who have squandered their allotment will inherit destruction.

    Out of all of the trees that cover the Earth, only the mighty Redwood tirelessly inspires awe and wonder. These behemoths can tower to a height of over 300 feet; while their trunks can reach widths of nearly 26 feet. Currently the tallest living redwood is approximately 379 feet tall; over ‘70 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.’  The oldest living redwood is believed to be about 3,500 years old; it began growing around the time Moses was leading the Jews out of Egypt. However, despite their size, these monsters actually have quite a humble beginning. A redwood seed is nearly 1 mm wide (or 0.0393700787 of an inch.)  A tiny speck. Every living plant on earth originates from some small seed. No matter the differences in their eventual size and structure, one thing remains certain, every seed is designed to grow. Faith is a seed planted by God in the hearts of men and women. If that seed doesn’t grow, it has failed to accomplish its purpose.

   All genuine believers have received a measure of faith; a small seed that must grow; and as it grows, the lives of the faithful blossom with it. Increased faith corresponds to increased kindness, increased obedience, and increased service to God and others.  When our King returns, He won’t just be looking for the seed He planted; He will expect to find a mighty tree; a towering example of His divine love.  May we be wise servants who allow the faith of God to grow within us. May we push onward and upward; growing with God. As we urge others to put their faith in Jesus Christ, may we observe a great increase and receive the gift of eternal life.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You would increase our faith.  May we continue to grow in Your likeness, that we might accomplish many splendid works in Your name. Give us the strength, the direction, and the encouragement necessary to obey Your will. Without You we can do nothing. May we remain fully committed to bringing you a splendid increase.  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 New Temple

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

‘Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21: 42 – 44.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Many of the Jews rejected Jesus. In response He quoted an old testament prophecy that states ‘the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.’ Concerning architecture, a cornerstone is the first block laid down during the construction of a masonry foundation. Every other piece is set in reference to this one ceremonial stone; thus ensuring the proper orientation of the entire structure. Jesus came to destroy the old temple and to erect a new one in its place. This new temple is comprised of flesh and blood. God no longer dwells within any sacred building; instead He inhabits the hearts of all those who believe. Every faithful soul is a brick laid down upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Those who deny the Lord will be crushed by Him; but those who believe will fall upon Him and be broken. This brokenness permits God to use us according to His desires; so that His Church may continue to grow.

Many years ago, a researcher named Jack Lipton attempted to study how the members of 11 different major symphony orchestras perceived each other. He found that the percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, hard-of-hearing, and yet fun-loving. The string players were seen as arrogant, stuffy, and unathletic. The brass players were described as “loud,” whereas the woodwind musicians were held in the highest esteem; they were characterized as quiet, meticulous, but a bit egotistical. Quite interesting findings, to say the least. With such wildly divergent personalities and perceptions, how could these orchestras work together to create beautiful music? The answer is simple: regardless of how the musicians viewed one another, they sacrificed their biases and stereotypes in subordination to the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance they were able to work together to generate inspiring music.

In a similar manner, we as Christians are called to sacrifice our own desires and concerns for the greater good. When we lay down our lives and submit to God we become members of the Body of Christ; an interconnected structure of individuals that collectively represents the new temple; the physical manifestation of Christ on this Earth. Jesus is our cornerstone, and when we rest ourselves down upon Him, we become bricks in the Church; a divine structural instrument that creates beautiful music. May we find value in fellowship with other believers; that our faith might continue to grow as God adds to His Church daily.

“Lord Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all honor and praise. May we be broken and added to the temple you have erected upon the foundation of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to desire fellowship and embrace the gathering together of the brethren. Fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit, that we might be used to add to Your Church daily. 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!

Giving

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

     “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20: 35.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    The word ‘blessed’ most commonly translates into the English word for ‘happiness.’  Those who live a ‘blessed’ life regularly experience joy, peace, and contentment, despite the presence of any challenging circumstances.  Such a pleasant existence can only be achieved and maintained through daily acts of sacrificial service.  And yet, nearly every human being is resoundingly selfish.  In an endeavor to acquire as many possessions as possible, some have become isolated, discouraged and depressed. They remain unaware that genuine happiness doesn’t come from selfish gratification; but instead, is the product of selfless giving.

     Michael Norton, a Harvard business professor sought to discover a link between overall happiness and daily giving.  He conducted an experiment in which a small amount of money was given to a group of test subjects.  Half of the participants were instructed to spend the money on themselves; the other half were told to spend the money on someone else.  When researchers contacted the subjects at the end of the day, they found that those who had spent the money on someone else reported feeling much happier than those who had selfishly squandered their allotted funds.  [Note:  In another study, Norton found that sales team productivity and relationship quality increased as salespeople were given money to spend on other team members.]

     Professor Norton had discovered that, although selfish gain seems appealing, it also lacks the power bring about lasting joy.  Genuine peace and contentment are the result of selflessness and sacrifice.  By serving and giving we can demonstrate the generosity and love of Jesus Christ. May we never forget that happiness doesn’t originate from what we might receive, but rather, from what we are willing to give.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, continue to shower us with your many blessings.  As we love and serve our fellows, may we be filled with Your unending joyfulness and peace.  May our selfish desires come to an end; that through us, countless wandering souls might come to glorify Your Wonderful Name.  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!