Blessings and Cursings

May 14, 2018 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you […] for the Son of Man’s sake […] for indeed your reward is great in heaven […] But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6: 20-26.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The pronouncement of blessings and cursings was an intimate part of the Jewish culture. Many Israelites would bring their children to the Rabbi’s to undergo a formal blessing. A blessing is a prophetic profession of some future good in an individual’s life. A cursing however, foretells of some impending calamity. The blessings that Jesus pronounced over the crowds were entirely dependent upon their reaction to his message. Those who chased after the passing pleasures of this life would ultimately enter into unending sorrow. Those who chose to deny their own desires in order to serve God, would eventually inherit eternal rewards. Without question, every true believer must embrace sacrifice. Some common sacrifices include wealth, a potential career, power, property, selfish indulgences, and often even a good reputation. Because the path to peace with God includes enduring some form of present pain, the majority of individuals will continue to reject the gospel message.

In order to understand this scripture, we need only look at the modern day credit card crisis. Right now, Americans possess some of the highest individual debt than nearly any other time in our nation’s history. Although not always, this current epidemic is the direct result of extreme self-indulgence. When a person goes out shopping and they can’t afford something, they will often use a credit card to avoid having to deny themselves some passing pleasure. But paying for things with money we don’t have doesn’t make the pain disappear; it simply postpones it. Eventually the credit card company is going to come looking for their money; causing those who have fed their fleshly appetites to endure the suffering they so desperately attempted to avoid.

Many people have spent an entire lifetime avoiding pain and indulging in pleasurable endeavors. However, their agony has only been deferred, rather than eliminated. They will eventually be required to ‘pay the check.’ Chasing after wealth, material possessions, careers, and even a good reputation can lead to an eternity of pain. Still, self-denial is the way to inherit eternal blessings. Volunteering, using our excess wealth to bless the needy, spending time listening to others, evangelizing, as well as visiting widows and orphans, are just a few of the ways we can deny ourselves in this life. Where are you currently denying yourself? What do you have in excess? Is it time, money, or knowledge? What can you give away? By denying yourself, you will become a servant of the living God; and in the coming kingdom, you will receive the blessings of eternal life.

“Lord Heavenly Father, help us to willingly endure pain in the present; that we might refuse our own desires in favor of fulfilling Your purposes. May we deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow You. Reveal to us where we can be more selfless; where we can be more giving; and where we can be more loving. 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.

God’s Greatest Work

May 7, 2018 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17: 1-4.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Throughout the ministry of Jesus Christ, he continually referred to an hour; a time that had not yet come. None of his disciples knew what he was referring to in this scripture; it wasn’t until after his resurrection that they understood he was speaking about his crucifixion. Jesus accomplished so many good works; the healings, the miracles; and yet his greatest work would be the cross. He is looking forward to when God will raise him up to a place of honor. Jesus says, “and this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The cross tells us about God; the cross is an invitation; a love-letter sent out to every human being, inviting them to fall in love with the creator of all things. Have you accepted that invitation yet?

As an oil painter, when I paint I don’t paint merely for my own pleasure; I am always mindful of those who will see the painting when it is finished. Every sculptor who sculpts a masterpiece, doesn’t put it in a storage locker when he completes it; rather, he puts it on a pedestal, or places it on display in a museum, or in the center of some fountain in a city square.

When the Hubble space telescope captured the first images of the distant Galaxies, with their beautiful colors, nebulae, and gas clouds large enough to swallow the sun, we saw first hand, some of God’s creation. When the electron microscope was pointed into a cell, we discovered that it was more complex than the space shuttle. When we see a brand new baby most don’t realize they began as a single cell, no bigger than the period at the end of a sentence; all of the information on how to build your dad, your grandmother, your son or daughter, was held within that single cell; a genetic blueprint from which even you were formed. God created those blueprints. Yet, within this enormous universe, out of every work ever displayed, Jesus Christ upon the cross is God’s masterpiece. We can still look to that masterpiece today and admire God. He loves us, and his work of love was accomplished by way of crucifixion.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we praise You. Your work upon the cross is what we look too, and we see Your glory, and we thank You. Father, continue to help us to look to You in love. Help us to pick up our crosses daily so that others would see Your Glory in our sacrifice as well. 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.”

Doing the Word of God

April 30, 2018 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“But why do you call me Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6: 46.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The term ‘Lord,’ or ‘Master,’ is a title that implies supreme authority. Every master employs servants; and a faithful servant obeys his master without question. An unfaithful servant says he will obey but doesn’t. Although the faithful and the unfaithful may both hear the word of God, hearing alone accomplishes very little. Many atheists have read the bible; even those who hate Christ may have some knowledge of scripture; the devil himself excels in his understanding of divine truth. Yet understanding and knowledge are meaningless without genuine obedience. What distinguishes the faithful from the unfaithful isn’t years of contemplation or careful study; rather, it is the application of God’s word to daily living. Only those who fully implement the teachings of Jesus Christ can truly call themselves servants of the living God.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world […] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Some time ago, after reading this scripture, I chose to implement it; I bought brownies for the coffee shop employees and attached a card thanking them for their wonderful service. I then delivered brownies to the bank employees. I also purchased and delivered a small snack to an acquaintance who works at the grocery store; and another to a friend in the coffee shop. I gave a gift to an employee at the gym. I then bought and delivered a toy to the church office for the toy drive. While answering the prayer lines at the church I gave gifts to everyone in the front office. When I arrived at work later in the day, I handed a gift to my co-worker. Then I shared my dinner with the client I was working for at that time. Because I had been obedient to the teachings of the Lord, he used me to bring Him Glory. Being exposed to God’s commandments is important; but applying them is perhaps even more critical.

Reading the word of God is merely half of an absolutely essential task. To listen to a sermon is to receive inspiration that demands application. Faith in its most complete form is an action. Faithful servants are therefore those who hear the words of Jesus Christ and do them. If you desire obedience, become familiar with your masters teachings; read His word daily, and seek to carry out His desires in the lives of all those you meet. [Note: In the bible, ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ is the most concise and condensed summary of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Become acquainted with this section of scripture. The discourse begins in Mathew Chapter 5 verse 1, and ends in Mathew chapter 7, verse 27.]

“Lord Jesus Christ, we want to be doers of Your word and not hearers only. May Your inspiration find its application in our lives. Teach us Your precepts and fill our hearts with Your commands. Give us the opportunities to accomplish Your will in this world. May all of our deeds exemplify Your love for others. May we lay down our lives to serve You; our Lord and our master! 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 name, amen.” God bless all of you.