Does God love you?

May 11, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

God is a loving Father who cares deeply for every man, woman, and child who has ever lived. In fact, His love is so profound that He sent His only Son to suffer the punishment for our sins; that we might receive the gift of eternal life. Because Jesus Christ was whipped, beaten, mocked, spit upon, and crucified, the world has come to know the love of an almighty God; his pierced hands and feet are perpetual reminders of the awesome measure of His affections. Without sacrifice there is no proof of genuine love.

Many years ago a man named William Dixon lived in Brackenwaite, England. As a widower, his only son had also been tragically killed. An elderly grandmother living near him was raising her orphaned grandson. One day their home caught on fire; although the aged woman was rescued, her grandson remained trapped in the blaze. Acting quickly, Mr. Dixon climbed an iron pipe on the side of the house; lowering the boy to safety. As a result, the hand he used to hold on to the pipe was badly burned. The grandmother died shortly after the fire. As the townspeople wondered who would care for the boy, two volunteers appeared before the town council. One was a father who had lost his son and wanted to adopt the orphan. The other individual was William Dixon. When given the opportunity to speak, Mr. Dixon said nothing. Instead, he simply raised his scarred hand in the air for everyone to see. The vote was taken, and the boy was given to Dixon.

Like Mr. Dixon, Jesus Christ endured much suffering to save us from certain death. His scarred hands and feet are perpetual reminders of His unfading love. Who better to call our master and Lord than the one who willingly sacrificed his life so that we could live? We, having received salvation, are then compelled to lay down our lives for others; embracing the attributes of sacrifice, selflessness, and service. God, through our acts of kindness and love, will continue to make known to the world the fullness of His affections.

“Lord Heavenly Father we thank You for Your immeasurable love. We praise you Jesus for the pain that you endured on the cross for us. May we be continually filled with gratitude. May we also follow Your example and lay down our lives to serve others. Give us the strength to forfeit our fleshly desires; that we might love our fellows as You have so graciously loved us. We honor 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.

Absolute Forgiveness

May 4, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” (Luke 17: 3-4.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Those who desire God’s mercy must also be merciful; those who yearn for His forgiveness must not withhold forgiveness from others. Hatred, anger, and resentment have no place in the heart of the believer; as unresolved bitterness creates division between God and man. Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Everyone who seeks to follow the Lord also desires to imitate Him; forgiving those who repent without restriction or exception. God’s mercy is immeasurable; in turn, those who practice unconditional forgiveness are wonderful examples of His limitless love.

In 1956, five American missionaries flew in to the jungles of Ecuador; seeking to make contact with a hostile and war-like tribe of Indians known as the Waodani. All five men were speared to death. Their families were devastated by the loss; in a single day, a number of wives were widowed and a handful of children were orphaned. But did the remaining family members seek vengeance? Did they cry out for justice? No. Instead Elizabeth Elliot (who had lost her husband), and Rachael Saint (who had lost her brother), were obedient to God; forgiving the tribesman unconditionally. Elizabeth and Rachael continued evangelizing the natives. The Waodani people eventually invited them in to their community. One by one, the members of the tribe began committing their lives to Jesus Christ. The men who had perpetrated the murders expressed great joy in knowing that they had been forgiven. The women eventually formed lifelong friendships with the individuals who had killed their loved ones. This unconditional forgiveness has given birth to the Waodani Church; a church that is currently thriving. They have abandoned their spears and picked up their bibles; going so far as to evangelize the other neighboring tribes as well (at great personal risk to themselves.) This amazing work of God was only made possible because two women were willing to forgive without restriction.

Forgiving others is not a suggestion, a recommendation, or a request; it is a command; a command that heals both the forgiver and those who are forgiven. Is there anyone you’re angry with? Has someone caused you great pain? Then you must forgive them. Search your heart and ask God to give you the courage, and the strength to let go of your resentments; to lay down your hostilities; to do away with your bitterness. In turn, God will give you peace…and your heart will be filled with joy as you walk in fellowship with the almighty and everlasting Lord.

“Lord Heavenly Father, search our hearts and reveal our hidden resentments. Give us the strength and the courage to forgive without restriction. May we love as You have loved. May we forgive as You have forgiven. We cherish 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.

Pray with Persistence

April 27, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

And he said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Please, lend me three loaves; ‘for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, but because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. So I say to you ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11: 5-10.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

In first century Middle Eastern culture, hospitality was paramount. Welcoming visitors in to your home meant providing for all of their needs. Guests were given food, shelter, and protection; failure to meet these requirements was considered a great disgrace. In this parable, a tired and weary traveler arrives at his friend’s home late in the evening; but he lacks sustenance. The responsible friend therefore approaches his neighbor; hoping to borrow some food. The late request rouses the man from his sleep. In a state of irritation, he denies the initial appeal. And yet the desperate soul keeps knocking. By refusing to ‘take no for an answer,’ he eventually receives the food. In this parable, the request for food is symbolic of prayer. The unrelenting neighbor represents anyone who desires God’s blessings. The man who supplies the food signifies God Himself; who enjoys rewarding our persistent petitions.

At the age of 23 an inquisitive youth from Gloucester, spied an advertisement in a Boston newspaper that read, “Wanted; young man as an understudy to a financial statistician. P.O. Box 1720.” He responded to the ad by way of letter; but received no reply. He promptly wrote a second letter; and then a third; still no reply. So he made his way down to the post office and requested the name of the owner of Box 1720; but the clerk refused. He then met with the Postmaster, but he too refused (claiming it was illegal to provide him with that information.) The young man remained determined; he arose early in the morning, hopped the first train to Boston, and entered the post office. He stood patiently with his eyes fixed on box 1720. After quite some time, a man appeared; he opened the box, grabbed the mail and left. The young man followed him to his brokerage firm; he entered and asked to speak to the manager. He told the manager that he had written three letters, before going to the post office (where they refused to provide him with the proper information.) The manager asked, “But how did you find out that I was the advertiser?” The youth replied, “I stood in the lobby of the post office for several hours, watching Box 1720. When the man came in and took the mail from the box, I followed him here.” The manager said, “Young man, you are just the kind of persistent fellow I want. You’re hired” (Sunshine Magazine; paraphrased.)

Similarly, God rewards those who are persistent in prayer. All too often, our prayers are erratic and inconsistent. Although we make our requests known to God, we frequently get discouraged when they aren’t answered immediately (in turn, many simply stop asking.) If you have need of something, continue in prayer daily and don’t relent. Your blessing may not come on the 1^st day, the 10^th day, or even the 100^th day; but if you’re persistent, it will come. Never give up; never stop asking; never stop seeking; and never stop knocking; for God is listening, and He is willing and able to give you the desires of your heart.

“Lord Heavenly Father, hear our prayers. Provide us with more of Your Holy Spirit. Behold, we stand at Your door and knock; and we won’t leave until You bless us. May we be persistent in our prayers; may we be patient; and may we endure. Transform us; provide for our needs; and give us Your mercy and grace. 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.