Category: Jesus Speaks

Who Can Be Trusted

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

    “But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.  Which of you convicts me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?” (John 8: 46-46.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    No human being can live a completely sinless life.  Jesus however, being the Son of God, never once indulged in iniquity.  He was so confident of His own moral perfection, that He publicly challenged any willing soul to accuse Him of sin.  In turn, His enemies watched and waited; hoping He would make some grave error.  Despite their critical observations and endless scrutiny, He spoke plainly and publicly.  And yet no one could find Him guilty of any sin.  In fact, during His trial, Pontius Pilate said of Jesus, “I find no fault in this man.”  Still He was crucified. Those who are truly wise understand that trusting an individual who is sinless, is far better than trusting one who is not.

    Throughout history there have been many self-proclaimed prophets; men asking others to trust them, who were themselves, untrustworthy. Unlike Jesus, none of these deceptive individuals ever dared place their own personal lives under public scrutiny.  For example, Joseph Smith (false prophet and founder of the Mormon faith) claimed to be God’s chosen messenger.  However, he lived a life of deviant debauchery; deceptively marrying other women before telling his first wife Emma.  He also engaged in wife swapping; secretly marrying other men’s wives. He even went so far as to marry both a mother and her daughter (an offense deserving of the death penalty, according to God’s law.)  Unlike Jesus who invited others to scrutinize His life, Joseph Smith fought to keep his hidden sins from being revealed.  After being kicked out Missouri, he and his followers migrated to the town of Nauvoo Illinois. The local newspaper began printing articles about his many wives and inappropriate indiscretions. In June of 1844, fearing he would be exposed, Joseph ordered his followers to destroy the town’s printing press. After breaking into the newspaper office, they dragged the machine into the street; smashing it with sludge hammers.  Smith was then arrested for this crime and later died in jail. 

    Unlike Joseph Smith, or any of the other false prophets, Jesus Christ had nothing to hide. His life was without sin. He never once lied, exploited anyone, or abused His position of authority to indulge in selfish pleasures.  Instead He served others, loved others, and delivered the word of God to all those who were willing to listen.  Only Jesus Christ can be trusted; only our Messiah is worthy of praise and honor.  Won’t you put your faith and trust in Him today?  If you obey Him and follow Him, He will lead you into eternal life. In Him you will know true freedom, and you will experience a ‘peace that surpasses all understanding.’

   “Lord Heavenly Father, we praise You and we thank You for Your Son. We recognize that He is eternally sinless and completely trustworthy.  Help us to submit to His leadership; that He might be at the center of our lives.  May we become more like Him every day, and may we place all of our trust in Him.  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!

Honor Your Father and Mother

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his home.” (John 19: 25 – 27)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Being Mary’s eldest Son, Jesus was obligated to care for His aging mother; who, during His earthly ministry, was likely a widow. Just moments before dying upon the cross, Jesus bequeathed His mother to the Apostle John; thus fulfilling the fifth commandment which states, “Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Honoring a parent entails elevating them to a highly esteemed position. Their words must be heeded and their righteous concerns obeyed. They must also be cared for and treated with great reverence and respect. Failure to do so constitutes a terrible sin.

As the story goes, an old grandfather once lived with his son’s family. His eyes were feeble, his hearing was dull, and his hands trembled. During dinner, his spoon would shake, spilling a portion of the meal across the table. Also, some of the food would dribble out from the side of his mouth. The man’s son and his wife became disgusted with this behavior. As a result, they made him sit in a corner behind the stove. He was also given an earthenware vessel to eat from. However, eventually he dropped the bowl and it shattered. The angry wife could no longer contain her emotions. “If you are a pig, then you must eat like a pig,” she screamed. They abruptly constructed a wooden trough from which he could eat. Some days later, they noticed their four year old son gathering tiny bits of wood together on the floor. “What are you doing there?” inquired his father. “I am making a little trough,” answered the boy; “for you and mother to eat from when I get big.” The child’s words caused the couple to cry. They immediately brought the grandfather back to the table; making no further mention of the messes created during their meals.

Like the couple in this fable, we are also called to honor our father and mother. To treat them with reverence and respect; no matter the circumstance. We have an obligation to ensure they are cared for and that all of their needs have been met. In so doing we will fulfill the fifth commandment, and thus enjoy the peace that accompanies every act of faithful obedience. May we be a blessing to our parents, that our Heavenly Father might pour out His blessings upon us.

“Lord Heavenly Father, You are an awesome and amazing God. As we yearn to obey Your commandments, fill our hearts with compassion and sympathy; that we might better honor and respect our parents. May we heed their words, listen to their instructions, and care for them when they are in need. 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!

Faith is Meant to Grow

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

   Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.  Therefore, He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.  So, he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’  But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’  “And so, it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.  The first one came and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’  He said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you are given authority over ten cities.’  And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise, he said to him, ‘You also will rule over five cities.’  “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief; for I feared you, because you are a stern man.  You collect what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’  In turn he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant.  You knew that I was a stern man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.  Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’  “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’  But they said to him, ‘Master, he already has ten minas.’”  He replied, ‘I say to you, that to everyone who has, more will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me’” (Luke 19: 11-27.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

   Jesus uses a parable to express His impending departure and eventual return.  Parables are short stories used to express some deeper spiritual truth.  Every character in a parable correlates to a real-life counterpart.  In this parable, the nobleman who ventured into a far country and became a King is Jesus Christ, who ascended into heaven and now reigns with divine authority; He also will return one day.  The rebellious citizens exemplify those who rejected Jesus as their messiah. The crowd He gathers together before his departure represents His disciples.  Jesus gives every follower a different sum of money; which corresponds to a differing measure of faith.  When the Lord returns one day, every believer will be asked to give an account of their stewardship.  The servants who report an increase represent those who have put their faith to work; they have accomplished good deeds, served others, and attempted to spread the gospel message.  The unwise servants who did nothing with what he had been given will be stripped of their possessions and numbered with the transgressors. Those who have been faithful will receive eternal life; but those who have squandered their allotment will inherit destruction.

    Out of all of the trees that cover the Earth, only the mighty Redwood tirelessly inspires awe and wonder. These behemoths can tower to a height of over 300 feet; while their trunks can reach widths of nearly 26 feet. Currently the tallest living redwood is approximately 379 feet tall; over ‘70 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.’  The oldest living redwood is believed to be about 3,500 years old; it began growing around the time Moses was leading the Jews out of Egypt. However, despite their size, these monsters actually have quite a humble beginning. A redwood seed is nearly 1 mm wide (or 0.0393700787 of an inch.)  A tiny speck. Every living plant on earth originates from some small seed. No matter the differences in their eventual size and structure, one thing remains certain, every seed is designed to grow. Faith is a seed planted by God in the hearts of men and women. If that seed doesn’t grow, it has failed to accomplish its purpose.

   All genuine believers have received a measure of faith; a small seed that must grow; and as it grows, the lives of the faithful blossom with it. Increased faith corresponds to increased kindness, increased obedience, and increased service to God and others.  When our King returns, He won’t just be looking for the seed He planted; He will expect to find a mighty tree; a towering example of His divine love.  May we be wise servants who allow the faith of God to grow within us. May we push onward and upward; growing with God. As we urge others to put their faith in Jesus Christ, may we observe a great increase and receive the gift of eternal life.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You would increase our faith.  May we continue to grow in Your likeness, that we might accomplish many splendid works in Your name. Give us the strength, the direction, and the encouragement necessary to obey Your will. Without You we can do nothing. May we remain fully committed to bringing you a splendid increase.  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!