Category: Jesus Speaks

Becoming as Little Children

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

     At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18: 1-5)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    Simply put, humility is the acceptance of helplessness.  Although we are all called to repent, the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ isn’t something that can be earned; it is something that can only be received.  Children inherently realize their own helplessness, and thus look to their parents for the fulfillment of their daily needs.  The disciples had yet to realize that those who displayed the greatest degree of humility, also elevated and honored God the most. Today, those who are nearest to the Lord, lower themselves down so that God may be lifted up in their place.

   In nature, birds represent an abundant group of animals.  Their young ones remain sheltered in nests while the adults go hunting; thus enabling them to establish a continuous supply of food.  No chick can provide for itself; they can’t fly, fend off predators, keep warm, or even clean themselves properly. They never stray from their nests because they instinctively understand their own limitations, and in turn, they comprehend the value of their parents. Lacking any sense of pride, the nestlings receive their care and nourishment as little children.

     Today, God has sent His Son to us, that we might consume eternal food.  We exist in this passing world for a short time before we can enter the Kingdom of God. Those who venture out to achieve righteousness for themselves will only discover death. Genuine salvation is a gift from God that can only be received; it cannot be earned (Note: Good works must also be accomplished in His name.) Outside of God’s provision we are incapable of becoming right with Him. By nature we are little children. May we understand this truth as we continue on our journey with Jesus Christ.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, as we walk through this world may we always lift You up.  You are an amazing, powerful, and awesome God.  You alone are Holy and righteous, and we thank You for all that You have done for us.  We ask and pray that You would lead us into humility and lowliness of heart. May we always seek Your righteousness and not our own. Feed us with Your spiritual food, that we might continue as little children.  We love You Lord, we thank You, and 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!

Spreading the Gospel with Efficiency

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKS

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7: 6)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus instructs His followers to spread the gospel with the greatest degree of efficiency. The message of salvation is likened to holy pearls, which filthy animals such as dogs and pigs can never receive or appreciate. In a similar fashion, we must use discretion and wisdom when presenting the truth to people (some of whom are likened to brute beasts.) We should therefore avoid pouring our valuable words and resources into those who will never be converted or transformed. By avoiding these rebellious souls, we can reach even more individuals for Christ.

Some years ago, a local church decided to start a new movement in the surrounding community; otherwise known as a ‘motel ministry.’ They set their eyes on a local motel; a shabby complex notorious for housing drug addicts, criminals, alcoholics, and outcasts of every kind. A Sunday service was started and resources began pouring in. Individuals were provided with food and assistance of every kind. To most observers, the program appeared to be a noble attempt to show affection for outcasts and sinners. And yet, after many weeks of preaching and ministering, the church abruptly discontinued the entire endeavor. The reason was simple; they were not observing any genuine conversions; nor was the message producing any meaningful changes. The church admitted that rather than being productive, they were actually enabling people to live in sin with greater ease and comfort.

God never wastes His resources and neither should we. As Christians our mission is to spread the gospel message. We are thus commanded to avoid pouring into individuals who are Godless mockers; men and women who will never receive the riches of faith. Therefore, whenever the salvation of God is rejected, we need only move forward; refocusing our efforts on those who show an interest in being reconciled with the Lord. If we are led by the Spirit, then we will produce much fruit with great efficiency.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to spread the gospel message to the ends of the earth. Strengthen us, that we might evangelize without fear. As we minister to others, speak to our hearts, that we might avoid preaching to those who are brute beasts; men and women who revel in their godlessness. Instead, lead us to those whose hearts have been softened and prepared to hear Your truth. Use us Lord, that we might produce much fruit for 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!

The Most Powerful Witness

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gaderenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” For He had said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Also he begged Him earnestly that he would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine that we may enter them. And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine […] and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. (Mark 5: 1 – 20)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

In this passage we read about a demonically possessed man living an isolated life in a graveyard. No one could subdue him; thus enabling him to abandon his family and friends. The naked man cried out day and night, uttering strange and frightening things. He had also begun cutting his own flesh with sharp stones (a form of self-injury indicative of demonic possession.) Without warning, the suffering man stumbled out of the tombs and met Jesus, who cast out the evil spirits living within him. The man’s sanity was immediately restored. Those who came out from the city to investigate what had occurred saw him “sitting and clothed and in his right mind.” This simple observation was so powerful that they became frightened and begged Jesus to leave their area. Although the restored man yearned to follow the Lord, Jesus commanded him to return home and share his miraculous transformation with his family and friends. A transformed life is the most powerful testimony anyone can offer as evidence for God’s divine presence.

We read in John 12 that Jesus went to Bethany six days before the Passover to dine with Lazarus in his home. Lazarus was the man Jesus had previously raised from the dead; calling him out of the tomb where his body had been lying for many days. We read in verse 9 – 11, “Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.” A man who had been dead and brought back to life was a walking testament of God’s power and authority. His mere existence was drawing many to the Lord.

Like Lazarus and the demon possessed man, those who have been healed and reborn are living examples of God’s transformational power. He can heal the sick, raise the dead to life, and turn sinners into saints. For those of us who have been healed, the sanity, the purity, and the goodness of our new lives is the most powerful message we have to pass along to others. If we share about the miracle that God has performed in our lives, others will be drawn to Jesus Christ. Our testimony is beautiful, it is powerful, and it is productive.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we praise you for healing our hearts, our minds, and our bodies. You have taken what was dead and brought it back to life again. May we continue to live as committed Christians; reborn and transformed by the power of Your Holy Spirit. May we continue to share our testimony with others; that they might see a miracle in us and be drawn to You. 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!