Category: Jesus Speaks

Do Everything as Unto the Lord

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JESUS SPEAKING

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16: 10 – 12)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The earthly possessions imparted to mankind by God ultimately serve an eternal purpose. Those who utilize their skills and talents to further the gospel and serve others in the present, will inherit eternal life; the ultimate reward for their faithfulness. Those who are unable to serve their families, their neighbors, and their earthly employers with passion, zeal, and diligence will never be permitted to serve God in His Kingdom. We read in Colossians, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

As the story goes, a man once wandered the streets of Philidalphia searching for employment. A well-known business man named Mr. Girard offered him a day’s labor. The man was tasked with hauling a pile of bricks from one end of the yard to the other. The man showed up early and worked heartily without complaint. The next day he was hired to return the bricks to their original location. He was paid to repeat this mundane objective for over a week, until it was evident that he could be trusted to do exactly what he was told. Mr. Girard soon promoted him to a more lucrative position as a purchasing agent; granting him the authority to buy items on behalf of his employer.

Like this wayward man, we too have been given a task to accomplish; to serve others with divine passion and supernatural affection. To preach the gospel through our words and deeds, so that others might be drawn to Christ and receive salvation. We must obey our employers, serve our families, and do everything “as to the Lord.” Those who can be trusted to handle the smallest tasks, will enter God’s Kingdom, and be given eternal responsibilities.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we serve our fellows in the same manner in which we serve You. May we be diligent to accomplish even the most menial of tasks with great zeal. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and guide our hearts and minds, so that the entire world might observe Your goodness in and through us. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things according to You will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Ownership

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JESUS SPEAKING

‘So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the Governor. Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? Show Me a Denarius (Roman coin.) Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” But they could not catch him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.’ (Luke 20: 20 – 26.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

In the first century, Israel was conquered by the Roman empire. Thus the Jews were compelled by their occupiers to pay heavy taxes. When asked if paying taxes to the Romans was lawful, Jesus drew attention to a single Roman coin; which possessed Caesar’s image and inscription; so then returning what already belonged to the Emperor wasn’t evil. And yet like coins, human beings were created by God in His image and likeness (as revealed in the book of Genesis.) According to Jesus, these treacherous men who approached Him, were so fixated on rebelling against the Romans that they had failed to accomplish their most important purpose; to offer themselves up to God and live in submission to His will.

Children are a wonderful blessing and inheritance from God. When a parent holds a newborn baby in their arms for the first time, naturally they feel a sense of ownership; as if the child belongs to them. However, like every other valuable thing we possess, children belong to God. Parents then are simply stewards of what God has given them. And so the duty of every parent is to bring their children up “in the training and admonition of the Lord.” God must always be the primary focus of their lives. If God is first, then everything else will find its necessary place.

As human beings we are created in the sacred image of the Lord; and thus we belong to Him. Those who put God first in their lives and acknowledge His ownership, will become His precious possession. However, those who choose to rebel against His authority will continue serving the things which can never set them free. Follow God and know His ways; acknowledge Him and He will walk with you in fellowship, as a Father and a friend.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to make You the priority in our lives. Provide us with the strength to abandon useless things, and to embrace Your ways with great enthusiasm. May we belong to You. May we be Your precious possessions, now, and forever. 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!

Brokenness

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind them to powder.” (Matthew 21: verse 42 – 44)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus was an outcast, hated by the religious leaders who ruled over the temple. They rejected Him, fulfilling the prophecy, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.’ In turn, Jesus became the cornerstone of a new temple, not comprised of stones, but instead made from the flesh and Spirit of individual believers. Those who are unwilling to abandon their pride will be crushed beneath the weight of Jesus Christ. However, those who fall upon the rock of salvation and are broken will know redemption. Broken things can be remade, reshaped, and reformed. Being fully broken allows God to remake us in His image. Thus brokenness leads to rebirth.

Horses are beautiful, powerful, and majestic animals. Over the centuries, they have proven beneficial to mankind in numerous ways; pulling, hauling, and plowing, etc. Many however have been used as primary modes of transportation. Today, any horse carrying a rider has undergone a process known as ‘breaking.’ The animal’s basic desire is to be free, to run wild and to do as it pleases. So, over the course of time, this rebellious nature is driven out of them. They are taught to embrace the bit and bridle, and to move without bucking. They are made to accept the straps of the saddle and to embrace the riders commands. When the horse has relinquished complete control, it has been fully broken. Only a broken horse can faithfully serve its master.

Like horses, human beings have desires and instincts that conflict with God’s commands. Pride and selfishness are obstacles that stand in the way of brokenness. When we thrust ourselves upon Christ, we relinquish control and are shattered. From these fractured pieces we are reborn, reshaped, and remade into the glorious image of our God. May we embrace change and relinquish control; trusting that God’s plan is far greater than anything we could ever ask or imagine.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before you as humble servants. May we embrace the brokenness that accompanies our devotion to Your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Create within us clean hearts, and give us the courage to spread the gospel with confidence and faithfulness. May Your temple of flesh and Spirit continue to grow and flourish, as it should, now and forevermore. We thank You, we praise 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!