Category: Jesus Speaks

Sacrifice is Love

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

   But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves.” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10: 29 – 37.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

     In this parable a man is badly beaten, robbed, and left to die on the side of the road. Two supposed religious leaders simply ignore the man’s desperate condition; placing their own desires ahead of God’s will.  In general, the Jews considered Samaritans to be Godless degenerates; and yet in this illustration, the only one to show compassion and love for the wounded stranger, was the Samaritan.  His love was expressed in the form of sacrifice.  Unlike the priest and the Levite, the Samaritan sacrificed his time, his wealth, and his reputation to assist the injured man.  Without sacrifice there is no real proof of love.

    In life, infants undeniably demand a great deal of time, attention, and resources.  ‘Good parenting’ is therefore a synonym for ‘sacrifice.’  New parents can expect to forfeit countless privileges on behalf of their children.  It is estimated that in the first year of a child’s existence, they will need to be changed 2500 times and fed every 4 hours.  Similarly, newborns must be burped, bathed, clothed, held, and played with every day; actions which require a great deal of selflessness and sacrifice.

     Like the Samaritan, and like any good parent, Jesus Christ has asked His children to lay down their selfish pursuits to love and care for those in need.  If we embrace a spirit of sacrifice, then God will provide us with opportunities to love our families, our friends, and our neighbors.  As we accomplish the will of God, our hearts will know peace and we will inherit the eternal blessings that He has promised to those who faithfully serve Him.

  “Lord Heavenly Father, please give us the courage and strength to embrace selflessness and sacrifice. May we be filled with compassion; may we always seek the lost; and may we continually display love for those in need.  Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, make us more like You each and every day.  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!

Becoming as a Little Child

~ 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.” (Mathew 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 must be received.  A child inherently realizes their own helplessness, and so they look to their parents for the fulfillment of their essential needs.  The disciples had yet to realize that those who were the most helpless, were also the individuals who honored God the most.  Today, those who are lowly push themselves down and elevate the one who provides for them.  So humility is the result of honoring God, and lowliness (humility) is the best way to know and love God, who is all powerful.

   In nature, birds are an abundant group of animals.  Their young ones remain in the nest while the adults go out to hunt; permitting them to return with a continuous supply of food.  Obviously 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 know and understand their own limitations, and in turn, they comprehend the value of their parents.  Knowing no pride, the nestlings receive their care and nourishment as little children.

     Today, God has sent His son to us, that we might eat eternal food.  Jesus says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”  We live in this world, which is our nest for a short time, and those who venture out to achieve righteousness for themselves find only death.  Salvation must be directly received as a gift from God.  We must instinctively understand that we are powerless to become right with God outside of His provision.  Have we accepted God’s message?  Have we accepted it as a gift and not a wage?  Have we become helpless enough to understand that God provides us with all that we need?  We must be lowly and grateful that God has made a way for us to know and love Him. We must become as little children.

     “Lord Heavenly Father, as we come before You, we lift You up.  You are an amazing, powerful, and awesome God.  You are Holy and righteous, and we thank You for all that You have done for us.  We ask and pray that You help us to be humble, and we ask that You lead us into a lowliness of heart; help us to seek Your righteousness and not our own.  Feed us with Your Spiritual food, and make us like little children.  We love You Lord, 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!

Lusting

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘you shall not commit adultery.’  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  (Mathew 5: 27 – 28.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Pornography was as prevalent in ancient times as it is today.  Archaeologists have uncovered rooms in many Roman homes, set apart for sexual debauchery; the walls and ceilings are covered with inappropriate images.  Scholars have also discovered tens of thousands of sensual stone carvings; men and women, unclothed and objectified; some are small enough to be carried around; likely an ancient form of mobile pornography.  Similar sexually explicit images and carvings can be found in every culture and generation: India, Asia, Egypt, Peru, the Americas and even Europe.  And yet, despite the popularity of pornography, it is never proper, profitable, or permissible.  Every lingering glance and intense gaze has consequences.  Improper lust separates individuals from God, and is therefore a grave and damaging activity. Proper lust however, is a wonderful part of God’s design; in fact, lusting after a God given companion is encouraged by The Lord. Physical attraction between a husband and wife is an integral part of a healthy marriage.

As expected, improper lusting can bring about some very damaging consequences.  ‘At a 2003 meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, two thirds of the 350 divorce lawyers who attended said the Internet played a significant role in the divorces in the past year; with excessive interest in online pornography contributing to more than half of such cases.’  Also, ‘nearly 57% of pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually damaging issue to their congregations.’  Despite God’s command to refrain from indulging in pornography, many still seek to justify their disobedience; ‘29% of professing born again Christian adults in the U.S. feel it is morally acceptable to view movies with explicit sexual behavior.’  However, no amount of rationalization will ever make pornography acceptable.  To view erotic materials is to transgress against the commandments of God.

Improper lust and pornography are spiritually, mentally, and morally debilitating.  They separate the believer from God; they destroy marriages and rip apart families; they promote promiscuity, lewdness, and idolatry.  Today, we have a choice; do we engage in those things that God has condemned?  Or do we disobey our Lord and continue in sin?  Trust in Jesus Christ and turn away from the lust of the flesh, and you will walk in genuine fellowship with the everlasting God.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we seek clean hearts and pure minds.  Remove the lust from our hearts.  If anyone is struggling with pornography, or any other sexual sin, we ask that You empower them to overcome their addictions, that they may once again know true purity and holiness.  Without You Father, we can do nothing; may our increased wholesomeness be a work of Your hands; that you alone might receive honor and glory.  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!