Applying the word of God

December 14, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“But why do you call me Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6: 46.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The term ‘Lord,’ or ‘Master,’ is a title that implies supreme authority. Every master employs servants; and a faithful servant obeys his master without question. An unfaithful servant says he will obey but doesn’t. Although the faithful and the unfaithful may both hear the word of God, hearing alone accomplishes very little. Many atheists have read the bible; even those who hate Christ may have some knowledge of scripture; the devil himself excels in his understanding of divine truth. Yet understanding and knowledge are meaningless without genuine obedience. What distinguishes the faithful from the unfaithful isn’t years of contemplation or careful study; rather, it is the application of God’s word to daily living. Only those who fully implement the teachings of Jesus Christ can truly call themselves servants of the living God.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world […] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Some time ago, after reading this scripture, I chose to implement it; I bought brownies for the coffee shop employees and attached a card thanking them for their wonderful service. I then delivered brownies to the bank employees and wished them a Merry Christmas. I also purchased and delivered a small Christmas snack to an acquaintance who works at the grocery store; and another to a friend in the coffee shop. I gave a gift to an employee at the gym. I then bought and delivered a toy to the church office for the Christmas toy drive. While answering the prayer lines at the church I gave Christmas gifts to everyone in the front office. When I arrived at work later in the day, I handed a Christmas gift to my co-worker. Then I shared my dinner with the client I work for. Because I had been obedient to the teachings of the Lord, he used me to bring Him Glory. Being exposed to God’s commandments is important; but applying them is perhaps even more critical.

Reading the word of God is merely half of an absolutely essential task. To listen to a sermon is to receive inspiration that demands application. Faith in its most complete form is an action. Faithful servants are therefore those who hear the words of Jesus Christ and do them. If you desire obedience, become familiar with your masters teachings; read His word daily, and seek to carry out His desires in the lives of all those you meet. [Note: In the bible, ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ is the most concise and condensed summary of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Become acquainted with this section of scripture. The discourse begins in Mathew Chapter 5 verse 1, and ends in Mathew chapter 7, verse 27.]

“Lord Jesus Christ, we want to be doers of Your word and not hearers only. May Your inspiration find its application in our lives. Teach us Your precepts and fill our hearts with Your commands. Give us the opportunities to accomplish Your will in this world. May all of our deeds exemplify Your love for others. May we lay down our lives to serve You; our Lord and our master! 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 name, amen.” God bless all of you.

God is our friend

December 7, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15: 14 – 15.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

After eating the Passover feast, the Lord said farewell to his closest companions. In a long discourse (filled with emotion and love) Jesus revealed God’s complete plan to his disciples. During his address, those who had called him Master were urged to consider him a ‘friend.’ The term ‘friend’ implies a deeper, more intimate relationship. In ancient times, masters and servants were never equals; they weren’t partners; and they certainly weren’t friends; their positions prevented them from engaging in close personal fellowship. In order to preserve authority and respect, the master had to maintain a safe distance (as “familiarity breeds disrespect.”) Yet the ‘King of Kings’ (Jesus) shattered the barriers that hindered true intimacy. He was no longer just their Lord and master, but also their brother and friend.

When I was 19, I worked as a guard and counselor at a minimum security juvenile facility. My role was that of a disciplinarian. Often, when a child misbehaved, we had to intervene and physically restrain them. We were therefore given a great deal of power and authority. Although we interacted with the children in positive ways, we had to maintain a professional distance. Too much intimacy would cause them to lose respect for us and our positions. If they came to believe that we were their equals, they would question and disobey our commands. Those who falsely see God as an equal lose respect for Him. Fear of God is good; those who fear Him are aware of his power and authority. In turn, God sent His Son, so that all could know Him as a ‘friend’ as well as a Father.

God must always be honored and respected; He is our master and we are His servants; in turn, there is a distance between God and man. In His divine wisdom, He chose to use His only Son to draw near to all people. Jesus Christ is God’s gift to mankind. He is God in a form we need not fear; we need only approach Him in love; we are free to speak to Him; to fellowship with Him; and to be in communion with Him. He is more than our teacher, our master, and our shepherd; he is also our brother, our closest companion, and our best friend. Would you like to know God? If you seek intimacy with the Lord, then embrace Jesus Christ and you will experience true peace; look to the Son of God and you will know the Father. Invite him in to your heart and he will teach you all things; and “you will know the truth; and the truth shall make you free.”

“Lord Heavenly Father we love You, and we thank You for Your son. We desire to draw near to him; therefore remove every obstacle and destroy every barrier. May he be our brother, our companion, and our friend; that through Him we might look to You for direction, comfort, and affection. We love You Father; we praise You, and we praise thank You; and we ask all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.

Completing the Journey

November 30, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build but was not able to finish?’” (Luke 14: 27 – 30.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Following Jesus Christ isn’t easy; instead it requires great sacrifice and tremendous discipline. Uncomfortable changes will inevitably follow every genuine profession of faith. Each believer is called to abandon sin and embrace a life of selflessness and service. Those considering the Christian life are urged to “sit down first and count the cost.” Drunkenness, fornication, pornography, adultery, lewdness and idolatry must be thoroughly discarded. Gossip, foul language, dirty humor, and selfishness must also be crushed beneath the weight of purity, love, mercy, and truth. Unfortunately, many who begin following the Lord are unable to finish their journey; abandoning God’s call, they eventually return to their old lives.

Interestingly enough, the longest Bridge in the world is the Danyang—Kunshan Grand Bridge in mainland China. This modern marvel took four years to build and cost approximately 8.5 billion dollars. As it snakes over rice patties, lowlands, and rivers, it measures a whopping 102 miles in length. Bridges are amazing feats of engineering; and yet despite coming in a variety of different shapes and sizes, they all serve one common purpose; they connect two portions of land divided by an obstacle. Although most of these structures are quite useful, an unfinished bridge is of no value whatsoever. Ninety percent of a bridge is as useful as ten percent of a bridge. In order to be valuable the structure must be complete. Much like a bridge, the life of every believer is utterly useless unless it has been completed. Throughout the centuries there have been many genuine disciples who died knowing that they had kept the faith until the very end. Sadly, many more were unable to complete the journey.

In proverbs Chapter 20, verse 25, we read, “It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, and afterward to reconsider his vows.” If you have never made a commitment to following Jesus Christ, then you must not do so rashly. You must first consider fully what God is asking from you. He is asking you to lay down your sins and embrace a life of purity; you must also devote your entire existence to serving and loving others. For those who commit themselves to the Lord, the road is not easy. There are no points for half-way. Once the journey has begun, it must be finished. Only then will we enter God’s eternal kingdom; only then will we know unending peace.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we have already begun our journey with You. We’ve laid down our worldly ways and embraced purity and love. May we continue moving forward and may we never falter. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit; empower us to complete what we have started, that we might one day enter Your kingdom. 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.