Category: Jesus Speaks

Opposing Evil

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

       “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this […] You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you desire to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me” (John 8: 39, 44 – 45.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

        Jesus opposed the religious leaders with great zeal; they claimed to be descendants of Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people. However, Abraham was a righteous man; a man who looked forward to the coming of the messiah; yet as Jesus stood before them, they sought to kill him. They did not know God; preferring instead to serve Satan (a fallen angel who continually opposes God.) Lucifer has an influence in every act of violence, murder, idolatry, theft, divorce, drunkenness, and dishonesty (to name a few.) But God’s truth is a light that exposes Satan’s lies. Those who serve the ‘son of perdition’ will stop at nothing to extinguish God’s divine illumination; so, they can continue in sin without remorse. Wherever God is not, evil exists in abundance.
        Adolf Hitler orchestrated one of the largest mass murders in world history. He rounded up and killed nearly 6 million Jews. He rejected God and the bible, and avidly believed in the evolutionary teachings of Charles Darwin (those teachings attempted to explain creation by means of naturalistic processes—if life could arise and evolve on its own, then a divine creator would no longer be necessary.) To Adolf Hitler, human beings were nothing more than animals; animals that could be enhanced through proper breeding. As a believer in ‘survival of the fittest’ (another evolutionary term), Hitler assumed some human beings were less advanced than others. In turn, he sought to create a master race by systematically destroying the unfit. Before his campaign of ethnic cleansing, he killed the elderly, the deformed, and the disabled. When the Godly stood up to oppose him, he imprisoned and killed them as well. After he invaded Poland, he murdered nearly 3 million Christians and Catholics. He also killed 3,000 church clergy members; another 2,600 Catholic priests were executed throughout Europe. Still, he didn’t stop there; his goal wasn’t to control the churches, but to destroy them. Following his death, the truth about his design to obliterate Christianity after the war became known. Jesus Christ stood in the way of his twisted ideology; causing many disciples to stand up and speak the truth; thus, illuminating of his evil deeds. Hitler (much like the Pharisees who opposed the Lord) had to remove the light of Christ before he could practice his atrocities uninhibited.
        Those who follow God oppose evil; no matter the cost. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we boldly speak the truth (as Christ has taught us.) Speaking the truth may not be popular; we may be excluded, hated, or even persecuted by those who seek to sin without conviction. Satan will stop at nothing to see man disobey God. Are we willing to stand up for what is right? Are we able to be a light in the darkness? Are we prepared to preach the truth in a world that prefers lies? Speak the truth, and God will bless you. Stand firm, and He will strengthen you. Allow the light of Christ to shine through you, and you will “dwell in the house of the Lord, Forever.”
        “Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to oppose what is evil and to expose the works of Satan. Give us the strength and the courage to preach the truth in a world that prefers lies. May we be a light in the darkest places. May we not fear the reprisals of man, and always seek to do Your will; no matter what the cost. 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!

Give Without Expectations

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

        “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back” (Luke 6: 34.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

         Even the cruelest individuals will give money to those who promise to pay them back. And yet, Jesus desired that his disciples be completely selfless. He therefore taught them to give without expecting anything in return. The mandate of everyone who longs to practice genuine Godliness must freely give, when they are able, to those who are in need.
         One day, as I was getting ready to leave the gym, I bumped into an acquaintance who asked if he could borrow $10 dollars. After giving him the money, he continued to insist that he would pay me back. (With this scripture in mind) I told him that the money was from God, and that I didn’t want any form of repayment. He immediately understood that it was a gift and not a loan; as we parted ways, I felt a warm blessing; because I had done God’s will.
         The Lord is pleased when His disciple’s standout; when they shine; when they are more loving and more charitable than those around them. Giving without expectation or the desire for repayment is just one identifiable characteristic of a true believer. Whether we pass by a stranger begging for change, or a family member who needs help paying the rent, we must be willing to freely give, when we are able. May we always choose to freely give; may we love without restriction, and may we receive the ultimate compensation for your unconditional obedience.
         “Lord Heavenly Father, help us to be obedient, to be caring, and to be generous. May we always freely give expecting nothing in return; for we desire heavenly rewards over earthly rewards. May Your love for others flow through us, that our faith might be a light to all those who walk in darkness. 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 Leftovers

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

        Then Jesus went from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Caanan came from that region and cried out to him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon possessed.” But he said to her not a word. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” But he answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But he answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the masters table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire!” And her daughter was healed from that very hour (Mathew 15: 21-28.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

        In first century Jewish culture, dogs were considered dirty animals; they scavenged through garbage heaps; feeding on the scraps that humans refused to eat. The Hebrew people commonly referred to non-Jews (gentiles) as dogs. Jesus called the begging woman a dog; an insult designed to test her heart. She didn’t react in anger; she didn’t hurl insults at him. Instead, she laid down her pride, embraced his assessment, and continued chasing her miracle. Because she exhibited true humility, Jesus granted her request and praised her for her faith.
        When I was a small child, my family usually ate meals around a dining room table. Of course, we were expected to devour everything on our plates; even the things we didn’t enjoy. Brutis, our overeager collie, always sat patiently beside the table. When my mother exited the room, my siblings and I would gently lower our dishes and Brutis would lick them clean. When she returned, she was pleased to see our empty plates. Our dog wasn’t prideful; he never complained about the taste of the food; nor did he consider leftovers and scraps undignified. Instead, he joyfully consumed whatever we rejected.
        When our messiah walked the earth, the Jewish people were God’s priority; and even today they hold a preferred place. Jesus was Jewish; as were John, Peter, Paul, and the other 10 disciples. In fact, only one of the books in the New Testament was written by a non-Jewish author. Whenever Paul entered a new city, he would walk straight in to the synagogue and proclaim the gospel. Only after they had rejected the message, did he preach to the gentiles. By the grace and mercy of God, we as non-Jews have come to inherit eternal life. If you are Jewish and you have faith in God’s son, you are blessed. If you are gentile, you can humbly and joyfully devour the divine leftovers. Know your place and God will honor you. By discarding pride and embracing His mercy, you will experience the desires of your heart, and you will “dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.” [Note: Despite God’s love for the Jewish people, Jesus Christ has broken down the barriers of inequality that divide Jews and gentiles. ‘We are all one in Christ Jesus.’]
        “Lord Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Jewish people, and for the salvation You have offered them through Your Son. We love them because You love them. May we all, Jew and gentile alike, humbly accept Your message; knowing that we are undeserving of Your grace. Grant us the miracle of reconciliation, that we might experience Your wonderful 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.