Category: Jesus Speaks

Exhortation

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKS

In the book of Revelation, Jesus spoke to the Church of Ephesus saying, “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2: 2 – 5)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus commends the Ephesian Church for their good works, patience, spiritual discernment, and avoidance of evil. He also exhorts them to return to their first love; a state of being exemplified by an overwhelming zeal for the gospel message. This scripture represents a type of communication known as an ‘exhortation.’ The definition of an exhortation is, ‘an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something; in a biblical context, exhortation more specifically relates to the correction of some behavior.’ The practice of exhortation is an integral part of any healthy church and can lead to wonderful revivals.

Many years ago an evangelist named D.L. Moody entered a small town hoping to experience a revival. However, for at least a week nothing remarkable occurred. The meetings were devoid of power. And yet one day he chose to exhort those in attendance; suggesting that one of the participants was harboring an unforgiving spirit. The chairman of the committee suddenly stood up and left the meeting in full view of the audience. The arrow had struck its mark, piercing the heart of the group’s leader. Apparently he had been having trouble with someone for about six months. That night he hunted the man down and asked for his forgiveness. The chairman abruptly returned to Moody. With tears in his eyes he said, “I thank God you ever came here.” That evening the inquiry room was thronged with people and the chairman committed his remaining life to faithful service. Eventually he became one of the greatest Christian laborers Moody had ever known.

The practice of exhortation, exemplified by Christ in this verse, is meant to correct and strengthen the Church. Those who have lost their zeal are encouraged to repent and take hold of the passion they once possessed for spreading the gospel. For those seeking to live a Christian life, a lack of enthusiasm is unacceptable. We need to release our fears and step out in faith. Our duty as believers, is to share the message of salvation with others, and to further Christ’s coming kingdom.

“Lord Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with a supernatural passion; a zeal that never fades. If we have wandered, guide us back to our first love. Give us the courage to boldly speak Your truth and to accurately present the gospel message to others. Fill us with more of Your Holy Spirit. For it is only through Your Spirit that a revival can occur, and the newness of life can be attained through the sacrifice of Your son upon the cross. 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!

Simple Faith

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Then Thomas, called the twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”  So he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in to the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.  And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.  Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into my side.  Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20: 24-29.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Thomas had seen Jesus walk on water, heal the sick, and raise the dead. And yet, when several disciples claimed to have seen the Lord after his crucifixion, Thomas’ faith wavered. Accordingly, he professed that his doubts would persist until he had encountered the resurrected Messiah; at which time, he would need to examine the physical wounds for himself. Shortly thereafter, Jesus appeared and invited Thomas to touch His lacerations. The doubting disciple promptly glorified God and expressed the renewal of his faith. In response, Jesus uttered an enduring truth. The strongest faith a person can possess is simple and requires no proof. Those who believe without seeing are the nearest to God.

As the story goes, one night a mother and her daughter were preparing to retire for the evening. The Child was afraid of the dark. When the light was extinguished, the girl caught a glimpse of the moon through her window. “Mother,” she asked; “is the moon God’s light?” “Yes,” said the mother. The little girl continued, “Will God put out His light and go to sleep?” “No my child,” responded the woman, “God never goes to sleep.” Then, out of the simplicity of her child-like faith the girl concluded, “Well, as long as God is awake, there is no sense in both of us staying up.”

Childlike faith is the most powerful form of belief; it requires no miracles, or signs or wonders. But rather, it consists of a complete trust in God; in His words, His deeds, and His promises. Although His works can be easily observed today, after His ascension into heaven, no living human being, except the apostle John, has ever seen Christ. Still, those of us who believe possess a faith that is solid and unwavering. We know Him, because He lives inside us. We would do well to continue in our faith without the need for more evidence or intellectual affirmation.

“Lord Father, we are Your children. We believe, not because of what we have seen, but because of who You are. You alone are worthy of our trust; You alone carry the truth. We accept Your words and promises without the need for proof, because You are alive within our hearts, and we are one with You. May we always possess a child-like faith. 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!

Warning Against Harming Children

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offenses come.” (Matthew 18: 5 – 7)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Young children are naturally innocent, faithful and pure. They share a closeness with God that even adult Christians are encouraged to emulate. Some responsible parents today attempt to shelter their children from the corruption of this world; thus ensuring their proper development. And yet there are those demonically depraved individuals who are like filthy beasts; they take pleasure in defiling the purity of little ones. These twisted people are the enemies of God; thus Jesus expresses the severity of the punishment that awaits anyone who harms a child.

I grew up in a home with a stepfather who was a child molester. As a boy scout troop leader and respected lawyer in our small community, he was able to hide his evil deeds for many years. He molested family members, friends, and acquaintances alike. He was skilled at robbing children of their innocence. As these victims grew into adulthood, most of them struggled with life; some turned to alcohol, some to drugs, and some to other forms of deviant behavior. Many suffered from psychological disturbances, relationship difficulties, and poor life outcomes. And yet, while his evil deeds went unseen by most, they weren’t hidden from God. The Lord’s wrath was being stored up against him. (Truly it would have been better “if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”) One day his entire life became a nightmare. He was arrested at his law office and led away in handcuffs. Having been publicly shamed, everyone he had ever known had abandoned him. His freedom, his family, his occupation, and his privileges in life were taken away. His once large home was replaced by a tiny prison cell; his bed became a cot. His suits were worthless, as he would never again wear anything other than prison issued attire. The judge sentenced him to serve decades behind bars. We later learned that he was likely being violated and abused by other inmates. The very atrocities he had visited upon little children were being visited upon him. He eventually died alone in that place. I am sharing this account as a warning to others. (Having become a Christian, I can only hope that he gave his life to Jesus Christ and was reborn before his death. I have forgiven him completely, because God has given me a new heart.) However, his life, his sins, and his eventual punishment represents a powerful example of how God’s wrath is poured out upon those who harm children.

Today, those who are Christian must aspire to protect children from the evil influences of this world. We must exercise caution and behave righteously in the presence of little ones; setting a good example without causing them to stumble. We must be mindful of what we watch, of how we speak, and how we act. If we choose to live as Christ lived, our children will grow and develop into believing adults. Children are special, and they have the Lord as their defender. We must tread carefully as we seek to edify them, build them up in the faith, and protect them from evil.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You now and stand in the light of Your divine presence. You are a just and righteous God. We pray for those who are lost; may you enter their hearts and convict them and transform them. Please continue to protect our children from those who would abuse them or destroy their faith in Your Son. Also Lord, help us to be good examples for the little ones in our lives. May they see Your goodness in us and choose what is right. 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!