Category: Jesus Speaks

When Tragedies Become Blessings

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

     Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.  I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is still day; the night is coming when no one can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the blind man’s eyes with the clay.  And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent).  So he went and washed, and came back seeing (John 9: 1–7.) 

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    In the first century, many individuals believed that deformity and dysfunction were the result of some manner of personal sin.  The disciples therefore inquired concerning who’s sin had caused the man’s blindness (either his parents or the man himself?)  But Jesus revealed that the man’s deformity hadn’t arisen from sin, but rather, from God’s desire to display a miraculous feet of divine healing. The blind man was made whole again so that many others would honor and glorify God. In life, often the things that appear to be the most tragic, are actually orchestrated to bring God the greatest glory.  Although they can be, tragedy and adversity are not always punishments; in fact, they are often the greatest blessings we will ever know.

     In 2003 a 13 year old Christian girl named Bethany Hamilton was surfing when she was suddenly attacked by a 14 foot long tiger shark.  The shark severed her left arm just below the shoulder.  After nearly bleeding to death, she was rushed to the hospital.  Prior to the injury, Bethany had been one of the world’s top competitive junior surfers.  Despite her strong faith, she questioned why God would allow her to endure such a tragedy.  Still she became determined to surf again competitively.  Trusting in God, Bethany entered the water 3 weeks after the accident and began training.  She started with a long board; then moved to a smaller board; until she was eventually able to surf on a short board again. Because Bethany refused to quit she eventually placed in and won a number of the world’s top female surf competitions.  Her experience quickly became famous. She received thousands of letters and numerous awards; she’s appeared on ‘20/20, Good Morning America, and the Oprah Winfrey Show,’ to name a few.  Eventually she published a book chronicling her struggles and victories (which was made into a movie entitled “Soul Surfer.”)  Throughout her ordeal, Bethany remained an outspoken Christian.  She thanked Jesus Christ for her strength, her courage, and her triumph. What appeared to be a tragedy had become the greatest blessing she would ever know.  Yes, with two arms she would’ve likely won some surf competitions; perhaps she might have even made it onto the cover of a surf magazine.  But with God in her heart and one missing arm, she was able to reach the entire world for Christ.  She is now a symbol of faith and a living example of God’s power to take the broken and make them whole again.

     Is there anything in your life that you struggle with; something that seems tragic; a source of pain or suffering?  If you take another look you may find a wonderful blessing hidden within what appears to be a calamity.  Seek the Lord, and He will strengthen you and lift you up.  Lean on God, and let Him use you; He will take your weaknesses and turn them into strengths.  And when He transforms our lives, we must always remember to give Him the credit He so richly deserves.  If we utilize God’s power and face our fears, many will come to see ‘the glory of God,’ revealed in us.

  “Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that You transform our weaknesses into strengths.  May Your enduring power and wisdom give us victory over the obstacles we currently face.  Heal us Father, and fill us with Your courage, that by faith we may overcome our fears and shortcomings.  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!      

Leading Others to Christ

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

    While journeying through Samaria, Jesus chose to sit down beside a well; as He rested, he began speaking with a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water. During their conversation He revealed to her certain intimate details of her life; details that only God Himself could know.  Amazed and astonished, ‘the woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet […] I know that the messiah is coming (who is called the Christ.)  When He comes He will tell us all things.”  Jesus answered her saying, “I who speak to you am He.” […] The woman then left her water-pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done.  Could this be the Christ?” […] And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified saying, “He told me everything I’ve ever done.”  So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of His own words.” (John 4: 19 – 41)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    One fateful afternoon, Jesus Christ chose to reveal himself to an immoral woman who was attempting to draw water from a well.  She was unaware that on that day she would find the Son of God and receive salvation and eternal life.  Upon hearing Him recount every intimate detail of her life, she became overwhelmed with joy.  The astonished woman left her water-pot behind and entered the city; seeking to lead others to Jesus.  As expected, those who followed her eventually received the free gift of God.  Everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ becomes His messenger.  Having been redeemed, we must strive to lead other sick individuals to the ‘Great Physician;’ the only one capable of mending their wounds and healing their broken hearts.

    Like our ‘Great Physician’, there was once a missionary Doctor who was practicing medicine in a Chinese hospital. As he sought to alleviate the suffering of his fellows, he surgically healed a man afflicted with cataracts (a clouding of the lenses of the eye that causes blindness.)  A few weeks later, 48 blind men arrived from the wilds of china (each one seeking to undergo the same incredible procedure.)  Incapable of proper navigation, they forcefully clung to an extremely long rope.  Not surprisingly, the man who had been cured weeks earlier was guiding them.  Some of these desperate men had journeyed hundreds of miles just to reach the hospital.

    There are so many people in this world who have been blinded by sin and death.  These individuals need someone to guide them toward the ‘Great Physician.’  Like the Samaritan woman, those who have been enlightened are given the task of leading others to Jesus Christ.  As ‘reborn’ Christians, we are instruments in the hands of an almighty God.  If we are willing, He will use us to reach out to our family members, co-workers, friends, and even complete strangers.  One of our major tasks is to testify concerning the wonderful works that He has accomplished in the our lives, and in the lives of others who have placed their faith in Him.

    “Lord Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  May we be amazed every day by Your righteous deeds and wonderful miracles.  Help us to embrace our obligation to lead others to Your Son.  Provide us with opportunities to witness to our family members, co-workers, and friends; that they would hear our words and desire Your gift of eternal life.  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!

A Sturdy Foundation

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

   “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of  mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.  But everyone who hears these sayings of mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.  And great was its fall” (Mathew 7: 24-27.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

   In this scripture, Jesus initially identifies a single group of people: all those who hear His words.  He then divides this group into two distinct categories.  The division is based solely upon the response to what the listeners have heard.  One group puts into practice what they have learned from Jesus, and the other group does not.  Those who take action are wise, but those who do not are foolish.  Both groups are likened to builders who undertake the construction of a house.  One builds on solid rock (unmovable, sturdy, and permanent), and another group builds on sand (movable, shifting, and impermanent.)  Every human being is a building, and their actions and behaviors are the product of following a blueprint.  There are an endless number of blueprints, but only one blueprint is eternal.  The rain, the wind, and the floods will come; everyone will endure difficult times; but only those who choose not to practice the teachings of Christ will ultimately crumble.

   Along the coast of Southern California, many individuals have constructed lavish mansions on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.  Every so often a mudslide or a sink hole will bring down a huge portion of the cliff upon which one of these houses stands. Occasionally you might see a picture of a half of a house standing on a cliff; while the opposite side lays in a mangled heap of pieces on the beach below. Once in a while, a house built on a solid enough foundation will hang over the cliff, fully intact despite missing a portion of earth beneath it.  The same thing is true for those in this world who build their lives upon the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Eventually this world will be annihilated; and yet whatever we have built according to God’s design will never be destroyed; it will last forever.

   Today, just like our Lord, each of us is a carpenter.  We are builders who are following a blueprint.  A life that takes shape as a result of following the directions outlined for us by our eternal God, will never end.  However, any life that’s been constructed from following teachings other than those of Jesus Christ, will be destroyed.  Eternal life isn’t solely received through what we have heard; but rather, by what we have done as a result of what we have heard.  If there is no fruit, then there is no faith. Obedience to God is how we build our lives upon an eternal foundation.  If we read His word and do His word, we won’t pass away with this present world; instead we will spend an eternity with Him in paradise.        

“Heavenly Father, we come before You and we ask that You give us the strength to follow everything we have heard from Your Son.  Give us more opportunities to implement His teachings in our lives. May we know the deep pleasure and great satisfaction that comes from accomplishing the tasks that You have given us.  May we always strive to please You, and to be a blessing to all of those we meet.  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!