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Become a Follower

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

            “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Mathew sitting at the tax office.  And he said to him, “Follow Me.”  So he arose and followed Him” (Mark 9: 9.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            The calling of Mathew is among the shortest conversion stories recorded in the bible.  As a tax collector, he was hated and despised by his own people.  Still Jesus saw something in him worth saving.  As the Lord passed by He uttered two simple words that would forever transform Mathew’s life; “Follow Me.”  His response was concise, immediate, and unwavering.  Mathew arose, abandoned his position, and began following Jesus Christ.  

            During the 1880’s, a famous baseball player named Billy Sunday had a similar experience.  One day, he and his teammates entered a saloon and began drinking.  Upon exiting, Billy spotted a group of Christians singing hymns and preaching about God’s salvation and forgiveness.  As the tears rolled down his face, he turned to his teammates and said, “Boys, I’m through!  Going to turn to Jesus Christ.  We’ve reached the parting of the ways.”  Some mocked him, while others encouraged him.  He promptly entered the Pacific Garden Mission and gave his life to the Lord.  Later he said, “I called upon God’s mercy.  I staggered out of my sins and into the outstretched arms of the Savior.  I became instantly a new creation in Him.  The next morning at practice, my manager, Mike Kelly, greeted me and said, ‘Billy, I read in the paper what occurred yesterday.  Religion isn’t my long suit, but I won’t knock you, and I’ll knock the daylights out of anyone who does.”  Billy Sunday would go on to become one of the greatest evangelists of the early 20th century.

            Like Mathew, and like Billy, God is still calling many to follow Him today.  Jesus Christ desires that all would come to know Him and submit to His discipleship.  Some respond to His call; still others do not.  How can you respond to God’s calling and receive salvation?  First, find a quiet place; reach out to God in prayer, and ask Him to enter your heart.  Turn away from your sins, and publicly profess a faith in Jesus Christ.  Get involved at a local church and be baptized.  Request an easy to read version of the bible (read it every day; beginning with the gospels.)  As you grow in the knowledge of God and submit to His commandments, you will experience a marvelous transformation. The old things will pass away; for behold, God makes “all things new.”

            “Lord Heavenly Father we thank You for calling us to be Your disciples.  May You continuously dwell within our hearts and minds.  Give us the strength to turn away from sin and death. May we receive the Holy Spirit and embrace the new life we have in You.  Teach us; guide us; be our king and our friend. 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.

Miracles Happen

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING               

                Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.  And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.  But when Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”  And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God (Luke 13: 10-13.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS    

                On a certain Sabbath day, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue; those who were listening would soon witness a wonderful act of divine charity.  In the midst of the crowd, there sat a deformed woman; who would unknowingly become the target of God’s mercy and grace.  For 18 years her twisted spine had condemned her to a life of humiliating hardship.  Jesus called her forward; and with one touch, she received her long awaited freedom; freedom from embarrassment and ridicule; freedom from shame; freedom from discomfort and pain.  Filled with gratitude, the once distorted woman honored and praised God for His compassionate work.  Miraculous healings such as this, serve two wonderful functions; they relieve suffering and inspire others to honor and glorify God.

                Approximately ten years ago, I was a resident in a mental institution; I was unable to work and incapable of completing even menial tasks; like laundry and cooking. I was filled with fear and couldn’t sit still for any extended period of time without suffering a fit of extreme anxiety. I was also surrounded by other disturbed individuals; one poor woman was actually undergoing electro-shock-therapy. In a place where pajamas and slippers were the daily norm, I was unaware that God would eventually call me forward. Sometime after being released, He laid his hand on me; healing my unhealthy mind. But he didn’t just heal me; He also transformed me in to a completely different person. Today, I’m married and own a home; I hold down a job and have wonderful friendships; I’m involved in a number of ministries. I give as much as I can and I serve others whenever possible; I truly love and empathize with those who are suffering. I am a responsible individual that can be relied upon. A man who was once dead, has been made alive again. I’m an example of God’s miraculous power. I have become whole, not because of anything I have done, but because of what God has done for me.

                Have you experienced a miracle?  Has God called you forward; has He done something amazing?  If so, then you are truly blessed; if not, He can and will heal you…if you let Him.  Have faith in the Lord and nothing will be impossible; trust in God and you will experience something miraculous. When you do, remember to give God the glory and honor He so greatly deserves; point at Him and proclaim, ‘My deliverer has arrived…and I have been set free; praise be to God.’

                “Lord Heavenly Father You are worthy to receive glory and honor and praise.  We thank You for all of the amazing things you’ve done in and through us.  We desire to see even greater miracles; increase our faith; and do the impossible. We’re excited to see You accomplish Your mighty works. 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.

Promoting Peace

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

                “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Son’s of God” (Mathew 5: 9)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                The world is full of conflict.  Yet in the midst of the hostility, God’s children are called to promote peace.  The Lord Himself is a peacemaker; He detests war, and abhors senseless aggression.  Many who share His heart also share His mission; to bring harmony where there is hatred and tranquility where there is contempt.  Those who choose to make peace will inherit the eternal blessings offered to the ‘Sons and daughters of God.’

                As the story goes, in the 4th century A.D., a monk named Telemachus felt God calling him to go to Rome.  He packed his meager possessions and set out for the great city.  Upon arriving, the streets were bustling with excitement.  When he asked why everyone was so energized, he was told that the gladiators would soon be fighting to the death in the coliseum.  Horrified that men would be killing one another for sport, he headed for the stadium.  After entering the complex, he pushed through the crowds and hopped a fence; making his way to the center of the arena.  As he stood between the two gladiators, he shouted, “In the name of Christ, stop.”  The crowd began yelling, “Run him through, Run him through!”  A gladiator abruptly approached; striking the monk in the stomach with the back of his sword.  Although Telemachus fell to the ground, he soon recovered.  Once again he placed himself between the two armed men and shouted, “In the name of Christ, stop.”  The other gladiator suddenly approached him and plunged his sword through the monk’s belly.  Telemachus plummeted to the ground and began bleeding out.  Before dying, he was able to utter one last statement; “In the name of Christ, stop.”  A hush came over the crowd.  A single spectator rose up from his seat and left; followed by another; and another. Within minutes all 80,000 people had exited the coliseum.  That day marked the last gladiatorial contest in Roman history.

                No matter the consequence, the people of God are called to be peacemakers. When others fall silent, we must speak up.  Where there is discord we ought to bring unity; where there is conflict we must promote peace.  In so doing we will be called ‘The children of God;’ and we will know the eternal blessings reserved for those who remain faithfully obedient.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we long for obedience; may we share the desires of Your heart.  May we love others as You have loved others.  Use us to continually promote peace and to end conflict.  Give us the courage and the strength to speak up when others remain silent; may we be Your sons and daughters; and may we experience the blessings of genuine obedience.  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.