Category: Jesus Speaks

God heals the sick

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING               

                Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.  And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.  But when Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”  And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God (Luke 13: 10-13.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Jesus regularly taught in the synagogues on the Sabbath day.  One particular Sabbath day the attentive listeners witnessed a wonderful act of divine charity.  In the midst of the crowd, there sat a deformed woman, who unknowingly would become the target of God’s merciful affections.  For 18 years her twisted spine had condemned her to a life of humiliating hardship.  Jesus beckoned her forward; and with one touch, she received her long awaited freedom; freedom from embarrassment and ridicule; freedom from shame; freedom from unending pain and discomfort.  Overjoyed, and filled with gratitude, the once twisted woman honored and praised God for his merciful work.  Miracles and healings such as this, serve two wonderful functions; they relieve suffering; and inspire others to honor and glorify God.

                Nearly 8 years ago, I was in a mental institution; I was unable to work; unable to complete menial tasks like laundry and cooking; filled with fear and overwhelmed with nervousness I couldn’t sit still for any extended period of time without being afflicted with fits of extreme anxiety.  Trapped in a delusional world devoid of mental stability, I was surrounded by other disturbed individuals (one poor woman had tried and failed every form of treatment and had to endure electro-shock-therapy.)  In a place where pajamas and slippers were the everyday attire, I was unaware that God would soon call me forward; I was ignorant of His future plan; one day He did lay His hand on me, and He healed my twisted and unhealthy mind.  Not only did He heal me, He created in me a completely new person.  Today, I hold down a job and have wonderful friendships; not only do I work, I volunteer; I’m involved in many ministries; I give as much as I can, and serve others whenever possible; I truly love people and feel deep empathy for those who are hurting; I counsel people on right living; I pay bills, and I am a responsible person that can be relied upon.  A man who was once dead has been brought to life.  I am an example of God’s miraculous power; He is a great and awesome God; a God of mercy and love; I am whole today, not because of anything I have done, but because of what God has done.

                Have you experienced a miracle?  Has God called you forward; has He done something amazing?  If so, then you are truly blessed; if not, He can and will if You let Him.  Have faith in the Lord and nothing will be impossible; trust in God and you will experience miraculous things; and when you do, give God the glory and honor He so greatly deserves; point at Him and proclaim, ‘My deliverer has arrived, and I have been set free; praise be to God.’

                “Lord Heavenly Father You are worthy to receive glory and honor and praise.  We want to thank You for all of the amazing things You have accomplished in and through us.  We desire to see even greater miracles; increase our faith and do the impossible; we are excited to see You move and do great and mighty works.  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.

Peacemakers

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

                “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Son’s of God” (Mathew 5: 9)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                The world is full of conflict.  Yet in the midst of the hostility, God’s children are called to promote peace.  The Lord Himself is a peacemaker; He detests war, and abhors senseless aggression.  Many who share His heart also share His mission; to bring harmony where there is hatred and tranquility where there is contempt.  Those who choose to make peace will inherit the unending and eternal blessings offered to the ‘Sons and daughters of God.’

                (As the story goes)  In the 4th century A.D., a monk named Telemachus felt God calling him to go to Rome.  He packed up his meager possessions and set out for the great city.  When he arrived, the streets were bustling with excitement.  He asked why everyone was so energized; he was informed that the gladiators would soon be fighting to the death in the coliseum.  He was horrified that men would be killing one another for sport.  The monk headed to the stadium; after entering he pushed through the crowds, hopped a fence, and made his way to the center of the arena.  As he stood between the two gladiators, he shouted, “In the name of Christ, stop.”  The crowd began to yell, “Run him through, Run him through.”  A gladiator approached the monk and struck him in the stomach with the back of his sword.  Telemachus fell to the ground, but soon recovered.  He once again placed himself between the two armed men and shouted, “In the name of Christ, stop.”  Suddenly the other gladiator approached the monk and plunged his sword in to his belly.  Telemachus immediately fell to the ground and began to bleed out.  Before dying, he was able to utter one last statement, “In the name of Christ, stop.”  A hush came over the crowd.  Suddenly one man got up and left; then another; and another; within minutes all 80,000 people had exited the coliseum.  That was the last gladiatorial contest in Roman history [Source Unknown.]

                The people of God are called to be peacemakers, no matter the consequence.  When others are silent we must speak up.  Where there is discord we must bring unity; where there is conflict we must promote peace.  In so doing we will be called ‘The children of God,’ and we will know the eternal blessings and unending joy of genuine and faithful obedience.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we long for obedience; may we share the desires of Your heart.  May we love others as You do.  May You continually use us to promote peace and to end conflict.  Give us the courage and the strength to speak up when others fall silent; may we be Your sons and daughters; and may we experience the blessings of genuine obedience.  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.

God is your friend

~ 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 the disciples.  During this address, those who had called him Master were urged to consider him a ‘friend.’  The term ‘friend’ implied a deeper, more intimate relationship.  In ancient times, masters and servants were never equals; they weren’t partners; and they certainly were never friends; their positions prevented them from 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.  The disciples became his equals; no longer was he just their Lord and master; he became their brother; their closest companion; and their greatest friend.

                At the age of 19, I worked as a guard and a counselor in 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.  The staff was 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 caused them to lose respect for us and our positions.  If they came to believe 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.   We read in Proverbs, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  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 our brother; he is our closest companion; he is our best friend.  Would you like to know God?  If you seek closeness with God embrace Jesus Christ and he will comfort you and give you peace; look to the Son of God and you will know his 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; may every obstacle be removed, and every barrier destroyed.  May he be our brother, our companion, and our friend.  May we confide in You Lord; may we look to You for direction, for love, and for comfort.  We love You Father; we love You Jesus; we praise You and we thank You; and we ask all of these things, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.