Stay Focused on Today

September 9, 2019 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Mathew 6: 34.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Apprehension, fear, and anxiety are destructive emotions that cause turmoil in the hearts and minds of most human beings. Although the majority of our worries revolve around some real (or imagined) future difficulty, they usually cause us distress in the present. Such uncertainties can steal our joy and distract us from the work that God has currently called us to accomplish. Therefore, Jesus commands every believer to live in the moment and to focus wholly and completely upon the blessings, cares, and concerns of today.

In the Old Testament book of Exodus, we are given a wonderful illustration that emphasizes the importance of living in the moment. After leaving Egypt and passing through the Red Sea, the Jewish people wandered about in the wilderness for forty years. Each day God miraculously fed them by causing a delicious bread to condense and accumulate on the desert floor. However, no one was allowed to collect and store excess amounts of bread (except on the day prior to the Sabbath.) Instead, they were only permitted to eat what was necessary to sustain their daily nourishment. Violating this law meant focusing on tomorrow’s needs and concerns [In the new testament, when asked how one ought to pray, Jesus reiterated this doctrine; we are told to ask God to, “give us this day our daily bread.” Not our weekly, monthly, or yearly bread; but rather, “our daily bread.”]
Fear of tomorrow serves only to distract us from the joys, blessings, and obligations of today. When we focus on the present, we are fully able to accomplish God’s will. As we trust in the Lord, we can begin to cherish every second, of every hour, of every day. To live now is to live for God; knowing that His love is a present gift and not a future possibility.

“Lord Heavenly Father, help us to live in the moment and to rely upon You for our daily needs. May our concerns and our cares be firmly rooted in the present. If our hearts possess fears and anxieties related to the future, remove them, that we may be joyful, loving, and better able to serve You today. 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.

Staying Focused on Jesus

September 3, 2019 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

[As Christ walked with Peter along the beach, he said] “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This he spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God […] Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on his breast at the supper, and had said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him asked Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me?” (John 21: 18 – 22.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He ate with them; fellowshipped with them; and encouraged them. He also privately took Peter on a walk along the beach (the apostle John followed at a close distance.) The Lord told Peter that one day he would be crucified for his faith. Peter, then inquired about the Apostle John’s fate. Jesus gently rebuked him (such matters were not his concern.) Jesus reminded him to remain completely focused upon his Lord and Savior. Peter had made a very common error; a mistake that is still prevalent within the church today. Many wrongly focus their attentions on other believers; or on their circumstances; or even on themselves. However, Jesus Christ demands the complete and undivided attention of every faithful follower.

How important is it to remain focused on Jesus Christ? On another occasion the disciples were rowing across the Sea of Galilee when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. Peter filled with faith, yelled “Lord if it is you […] tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replied, “come.” Peter got out of the boat, and began to walk on water; but as he approached Christ, he began to focus on the large waves that encircled him. Because he had taken his eyes off of the Lord, he began to sink; he cried out to Jesus saying “Lord save me.” Jesus grabbed him, and pulled him from the raging sea. Peter’s faith waivered because he turned his attentions away from the messiah. We can all learn from Peter’s mistake; those who are wise will continually remain focused upon Jesus Christ.

This world is full of diversions. We, like Peter, are all guilty of looking to the left and to the right; we have all misplaced our attentions; we have all succumbed to the numerous distractions in life. Though we have failed in many ways, with God’s help, we can all once again refocus upon our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. May our trust, faith, and hope in him never waiver; for in him we find our strength, our salvation, and our greatest victory.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we look to Your Son, and we place our faith fully in Him. Remove any distractions or diversions that exist in our lives and in our hearts. May our attentions always be focused upon You. Continue to sanctify us, that we might be fruitful. 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.

Anger is Murder

August 26, 2019 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“You have heard it said long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Mathew 5: 21-22.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Few evil offenses can rival the act of murder; and murder, like so many sins, is the outward expression of an inward disposition. All actions begin deep within the spirit. First century Judaism stressed external adherence to the laws of God. Jesus however, emphasized internal obedience; he focused on the heart; and rightly so; for murder is hatred that has reached full maturity; similarly, laziness gives birth to poverty; and adultery is the offspring of lust. Unless the heart is continually cleansed, evil will take root and generate a plethora of unholy actions. God judges the inner man; therefore, we as believers must diligently guard our hearts; allowing the Lord to cleanse them; and in so doing, we will also outwardly adhere to God’s commandments.

John Wilkes booth is one of the most famous assassins in U.S. history. On April 14^th, 1865, he crept up behind Abraham Lincoln, and shot him in the head (a wound that proved fatal.) Booth was a loyal southerner, angered over what he believed to be the evils of Northern aggression. He too was later killed. Abraham Lincoln’s death, although horrific, wasn’t the result of an assassin’s bullet; instead, it was the offspring of anger that had fully matured; hatred led to the deaths of both John Wilkes Booth and the 16^th president of the United States of America. [Additional illustration: It’s interesting to note that unchecked anger can not only lead to spiritual death, but it can also lead to physical death. A recent study conducted by John Hopkins university tracked 1,337 male medical students for 36 years following medical school; the study found that those who were quick to anger when undergoing stress, were three times more likely to “develop premature heart disease, and five times more likely to have an early heart attack. Angry young men, it appears, turn into angry old men with heart problems” (Cleveland Clinic, Anger and Heart Attack.)]

As sure as the day is long, anger will eventually grow into hatred; and hatred generates sin; therefore, the Lord teaches us that anger and murder are indistinguishable. The seeds that enter the ground and the fruit they produce are one in the same. Search your heart; and if you discover any anger, discard it; it serves only to separate you from your Creator. Permit the Lord to cleanse you of every lingering resentment and He’ll draw near to you; as a result, you’ll come to experience the peace and freedom of unconditional forgiveness.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You let the truth of this scripture sink deep down into our hearts and minds. May our souls be pure and free from evil thoughts and desires. Take away our anger and resentment; that we may we not judge others but love them instead; knowing that You are the only righteous judge. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and transform us from the inside out. We love You Lord, 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!