Category: Jesus Speaks

Selflessness and Sacrifice

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16: 24 – 25)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The old rugged cross is an enduring symbol of selflessness and sacrifice. Those who strive to follow Jesus Christ must crucify themselves daily. Our temporal wants, fleshly desires, and the present pleasures of this passing life must be abandoned. We lay down our lives so that Christ might arise in our place. If we die to ourselves, others will see God and be drawn to Him. By accomplishing acts of great service, we can spread the gospel message far and wide. Only through death can we experience eternal life.

As the story goes, during the 1800’s, a missionary named James Calvert was led by God to spread the gospel message to the cannibal infested islands of Figi. During his journey, the captain of the ship on which he traveled sought to dissuade him, saying, “You will risk your life and all those with you if you go among such savages.” Calvert’s response was simple and magnificent. “We died before we came here!” James and his companions had sacrificed their desires for self-preservation the moment they chose to follow Christ.

Like James Calvert, anyone who chooses to follow the Messiah must lay down their lives in service to God. We must abandon our selfish wants and desires. When compared with the promised rewards of eternal life, the passing pleasures of our current existence are insignificant. If we cannot embrace selflessness and sacrifice, we can’t hope to properly represent Jesus Christ.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to follow Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we take up our crosses and sacrifice our hunger for the passing pleasures of this world. Only You can give us the strength to lay down our flesh and walk according to the Spirit. 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 we pray. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Overcoming the Fear of Evangelism

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matthew 10: 17 – 20)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The textbook definition of evangelism is, ‘the spreading of the Christian gospel through public preaching, individual witnessing, and personal testimony.’ Jesus addresses the root cause of why many professing Christians refuse to evangelize. In verse 19 he says, “do not worry about how or what you should speak.” Thus the fear (worry) of appearing foolish and being rejected are the primary obstacles we must overcome if we are to faithfully carry the gospel message. To further alleviate any lingering anxiety, Jesus affirms that the words we share will not originate from us, but will instead be spoken through us by the Holy Spirit. If our evangelistic efforts are rejected, we needn’t feel shame or remorse; for they have not forsaken us, but God Himself; the creator of all things.

Currently, the United states has approximately 169 Ambassadors serving around the world. An ambassador is an important official who lives in a foreign country and represents American interests. A reliable and trustworthy ambassador assumes the duty of accomplishing a singular task; he must accurately convey the thoughts and desires of his nation to the country in which he is stationed. His private and personal opinions are abandoned; he speaks boldly without fear or regret. He has become the carrier of a message; a delivery man so to speak.

As Christians, we are ambassadors from heaven; carrying a message from our King to all those who might hear the gospel and be saved. We must abandon our selfish pride and the fear of rejection and evangelize whenever or wherever God may lead. We lay down our concerns, our worries, and our lives, so that we might represent the risen Lord in this place.

“Lord Heavenly Father, empower us with boldness, that we might be unashamed and unafraid. As we evangelize, may Your Holy Spirit speak through us. Compel us to reach out to those who are lost. Grant us numerous divine appointments, that might lead to the repentance and salvation of many souls. 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!

Being Chosen By God

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKS

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” […] “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” […] “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” (John 6: 37), (John 6: 40), (John 6: 44 – 45)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The Lord almighty has predestined the means by which mankind can attain divine reconciliation. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God is the doorway through which every faithful believer must pass. We understand that, without exception, those who have been chosen by our Creator will be drawn to the foot of the cross. Only through the Messiah can we be forgiven, made perfect, and become entirely prepared to fellowship with our Eternal Father. Jesus alone is the door to heaven and the pathway to God.

Years before the world was introduced to GPS navigation, traveling was tedious and imperfect. Stopping multiple times to pester strangers for directions was commonplace. Gas station attendants were quite commonly inundated with questions. With every new fragment of information, the voyager could journey closer and closer to their desired location. As they journeyed, every folded map, every dingy street sign, and every pointed finger would coalesce into a pathway, leading the traveler to their final destination.

Today, those who have been chosen by God have also embarked on a splendid journey. Seeking reconciliation with the Father, they are drawn toward His Son. Jesus Christ is the only road that connects God and man. If the Lord has chosen us to be disciples, then we have but one task in this life; to point others toward the Messiah; toward Jesus; toward a future with God. For those who are called according to His purpose, the Father’s eternal promises will never fail.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we thank you for choosing us, and we desire to serve You with our whole hearts. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and direct our daily tasks, that we might point others toward Your Son, and in turn, toward the goodness of Your salvation 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!