Category: Jesus Speaks

Set Free

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

                Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”  They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been in bondage to anyone.  How can you say you will be made free?”  Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  And a slave does not abide in the house forever.  Therefore if the son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8: 31 – 36)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Although slavery was commonly practiced in the ancient world, the men Jesus was speaking with weren’t slaves.  As free men, they didn’t understand that they were actually slaves to their own sinful appetites.  Sin is often a far crueler taskmaster than any man wielding a whip.  So many people are ruled over by their individual addictions; some are addicted to drugs and alcohol; some to pornography and sexual promiscuity; others are in bondage to cigarettes, gambling, food, video games, and money, etc.  Still, no matter how vast the number of sins might be, Jesus Christ has been setting people free from them for nearly 2000 years.

                One day I visited Venice Beach. As I journeyed passed the shops and street performers, I encountered a young couple.  They were homeless; their hair was tangled and matted; their clothes were riddled with holes; and despite being raised in the United States, they spoke with a fake Jamaican accent.  They were practicing the Rastafarian religion; a religion that promotes the spiritual use of marijuana.  Their bondage to the drug was so powerful that they had willingly abandoned who they actually were; preferring instead to adopt an entire identity that would enable them to continue smoking cannabis without conviction.  Although they believed themselves to be free, they were in fact slaves; slaves whose master had taken nearly everything away from them.  I shared my testimony with the couple; informing them of how God had relieved me of my addictions and transformed my life.  I would like nothing more than to tell you that they received the message and were reborn; but I can’t.  I can only pray that they eventually committed themselves to the Lord and were set free.

                If you’re in bondage to some sin, turn to Jesus Christ and he’ll relieve you of your burdens.  He will set you free from your addictions and heal your mind, body, and spirit. Invite him in to your heart and he will guide you, protect you, and transform you.  Only through the blood of Jesus can you experience true freedom and everlasting peace. [Note:  If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior and would like to be set free, contact me and we can discuss how you might make that decision today.]

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to be set free from the bondage of sin and death.  Heal our hearts and minds; give us hope.  Relieve our addictions and destroy our fleshly desires.  May we serve You in sincerity of heart and never stray from the righteous 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.

Make God the priority

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

            Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me.”  And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10: 38 – 42.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            After eagerly welcoming Jesus in to her home for the evening, Martha began feverishly serving her new guests.  In Jewish culture, the women were traditionally responsible for meal preparation.  Martha therefore became angry when she saw Mary sitting at Christ’s feet, intently listening to His every word.  She attempted to correct her sister, and was in turn corrected by the Lord.  Martha (unlike Mary) had failed to place God first, ahead of all of her other duties.

            In the 1500’s a German Monk named Martin Luther sparked the protestant reformation (a movement that sought to restore the church to biblical truths, as opposed to church traditions.)  As the leader of this movement, he was an extraordinarily busy man.  Despite his many responsibilities, he would arise every morning to spend time in prayer; conceding that on his busiest days he needed God even more. He once said, “I have so much to do today that I’m going to need to spend three hours in prayer in order to be able to get it all done.”

            Like Martin Luther, we must make God our number one priority.  The amount of distractions in this life are seemingly infinite. The busier we are, the less time we have to complete our daily tasks.  On our busiest days we can act like Martha and make less time for God and more time for our chores.  Or, we can choose to behave like Mary and make God our top priority.  By reading scripture, praying, and seeking God’s will first thing in the morning we are making the right choice.  When we make God the priority, everything else falls in to its proper place. Therefore the peace of the Lord will remain in us, as He accomplishes His work through us.

            “Lord Heavenly Father, help us to make You the most important thing in our lives.  May life’s busiest moments never distract us from focusing on Your goodness.  Teach us and love us; pour Your Spirit out in to our hearts, that we might be used to effectively accomplish Your will in this place.  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.

Become a Follower

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

            “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Mathew sitting at the tax office.  And he said to him, “Follow Me.”  So he arose and followed Him” (Mark 9: 9.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            The calling of Mathew is among the shortest conversion stories recorded in the bible.  As a tax collector, he was hated and despised by his own people.  Still Jesus saw something in him worth saving.  As the Lord passed by He uttered two simple words that would forever transform Mathew’s life; “Follow Me.”  His response was concise, immediate, and unwavering.  Mathew arose, abandoned his position, and began following Jesus Christ.  

            During the 1880’s, a famous baseball player named Billy Sunday had a similar experience.  One day, he and his teammates entered a saloon and began drinking.  Upon exiting, Billy spotted a group of Christians singing hymns and preaching about God’s salvation and forgiveness.  As the tears rolled down his face, he turned to his teammates and said, “Boys, I’m through!  Going to turn to Jesus Christ.  We’ve reached the parting of the ways.”  Some mocked him, while others encouraged him.  He promptly entered the Pacific Garden Mission and gave his life to the Lord.  Later he said, “I called upon God’s mercy.  I staggered out of my sins and into the outstretched arms of the Savior.  I became instantly a new creation in Him.  The next morning at practice, my manager, Mike Kelly, greeted me and said, ‘Billy, I read in the paper what occurred yesterday.  Religion isn’t my long suit, but I won’t knock you, and I’ll knock the daylights out of anyone who does.”  Billy Sunday would go on to become one of the greatest evangelists of the early 20th century.

            Like Mathew, and like Billy, God is still calling many to follow Him today.  Jesus Christ desires that all would come to know Him and submit to His discipleship.  Some respond to His call; still others do not.  How can you respond to God’s calling and receive salvation?  First, find a quiet place; reach out to God in prayer, and ask Him to enter your heart.  Turn away from your sins, and publicly profess a faith in Jesus Christ.  Get involved at a local church and be baptized.  Request an easy to read version of the bible (read it every day; beginning with the gospels.)  As you grow in the knowledge of God and submit to His commandments, you will experience a marvelous transformation. The old things will pass away; for behold, God makes “all things new.”

            “Lord Heavenly Father we thank You for calling us to be Your disciples.  May You continuously dwell within our hearts and minds.  Give us the strength to turn away from sin and death. May we receive the Holy Spirit and embrace the new life we have in You.  Teach us; guide us; be our king and our friend. 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.