JESUS SPEAKING

                Then he said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted within his own country.  But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zaraphath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.  And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”  So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built that they might throw him down over the cliff.  Then passing through the midst of them he went his way (Luke 4: 24-30.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Jesus Christ encountered extreme opposition while preaching near the city where he had been raised.  Many had seen him grow from infancy in to adulthood; they were very familiar with his family; and that familiarity created in their hearts great disrespect and disdain.  The Son of God therefore prophesied that they would reject him and that, in turn, he would bring the message to complete strangers.  Jesus referenced two Old Testament prophets who endured similar experiences.  Elijah and Elisha were messengers of God who were rejected by many of their fellow Hebrews; therefore, God used them to bless foreigners.  Elijah for instance, pronounced a three year drought upon the nation of Israel due to the wickedness of King Ahab.  During that time Elijah stayed with a poor widow woman in a foreign land where God miraculously provided for all of their needs.

                The Lord’s initial priority was to bring the gift of salvation to his own countrymen.  The majority of them however rejected Jesus as their messiah; therefore God, in His wisdom, offered the kingdom to anyone who was willing to receive it.  Paul was a disciple who boldly preached the gospel throughout the ancient world; he planted numerous churches, and was used to bring many to the faith.  Yet his love for his fellow Jews never waned.  Upon entering a city, he would first venture in to the synagogue to preach; after he was rejected, he would take the message to the gentiles (non-jews) (who were more than eager to receive the Holy Spirit.)  God’s plan has always been to use his Son to bless all nations, and tribes, and tongues; because Jesus Christ was rejected, those who are strangers have been lovingly received.

                Today membership within the body of Christ is open to all; there are no limitations; there are no ungodly requirements; true faith is not bound by race, language, or ethnicity.  God in His wisdom has chosen to make salvation available to everyone.  No longer can one nation claim God for themselves.  He has ceased to reside solely amongst the descendents of a single individual; nor, does He dwell within sacred buildings and religious institutions.  He cannot be worshipped at the temple in Jerusalem; instead He lives within the hearts and minds of those who have received Him (for God is seeking men and women who will worship Him “in spirit and in truth.”)  May you receive the Lord and be blessed; may His peace overwhelm you; may His love possess you; that you may be the man or woman God has called you to be.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your plan of salvation.  We thank You that all who desire to know You today can.  May we receive more of Your Holy Spirit.  May we draw near to You with our hearts and with our minds.  May we worship You, honor You, and praise You with every word that we speak, and with every action that we take.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.    

JESUS SPEAKING

                “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.  Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’  When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes seven other spirits, more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there.  And the final condition of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11: 24-26.)

 

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Evil spirits, although often considered to be a myth, are very real.  They dwell within the hearts of those who deny God.  When an individual receives Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, all demonic apparitions are expelled; the child of God is set free; the chaos and devastation of evil living subsides; the believer ceases to engage in self-destructive behaviors; their hearts are purified and their minds are quieted.  The dispossessed demons however, are not satisfied unless they are causing misery and pain.  So, they often return to their previous hosts, stronger and more determined than ever.  They tirelessly seek to turn the faithful away from God; sadly some fall victim to their schemes and reject the Holy Spirit.  Without the Lord’s protection, the blasphemer is again invaded by demons and their lives plummet back in to destruction (a destruction far greater than any they had previously known.)

                I once met a man who had been a pastor for many years.  After he had received the Holy Spirit his life began to change in wonderful ways.  He experienced an immense peace and began to preach the gospel with great enthusiasm.  He served the Lord for some time, before suddenly renouncing the faith.  Soon after his denial of Christ, he joyfully began to engage in strange sexual deviancies with multiple partners; he also started smoking, and boasted of his severe daily dependence upon alcohol. Additionally, as an atheist, he actively attempted to turn others away from the faith.  I still occasionally see him out in the community and he appears to be physically and mentally deteriorating (a condition I can only attribute to demonic possession.)  The words of Christ are true, in that this man’s situation is worse today than it would have been if he had never received the Lord.

                Demons are very real; they travel about on the earth, trying to possess those who are weak.  Individuals who receive the Holy Spirit are no longer capable of being possessed.  Unfortunately some believers do eventually reject the Holy Spirit; in turn they are possessed and their lives plummet in to even greater chaos.  Maintaining our close relationship with God through prayer, bible reading, fellowship, and obedience, is the best defense against evil spirits [If you have never received the Spirit of God and you would like too, please contact me and I can lead you in a prayer of acceptance and faith.]

                “Lord Heavenly Father, give us more of Your Holy Spirit.  Deliver us from evil, and protect us from demonic attacks.  Remain in us and continue to work through us; give us the strength to endure; may we never turn away from You; may we always continue in Your ways; and may we never return to the bondage of sin and death.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”  God bless all of you.

JESUS SPEAKING

                “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back” (Luke 6: 34.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Even the most evil individuals will give money to those who promise to pay them back.  Jesus desired that his disciples be completely selfless; therefore he taught them to give expecting nothing in return.  Everyone who longs to practice true Godliness must freely give (when they are able) to those who are in need.

                One day, as I was getting ready to leave the gym, I bumped in to an acquaintance who asked to borrow $10 dollars.  After giving him the money he continued to insist that he would pay me back.  (With this scripture in mind) I told him that the money was from God, and that I did not desire any form of repayment.  He understood that it was a gift and not a loan; as we parted ways I felt a warm blessing in my heart.

                The Lord is pleased when His disciples standout; when they shine; when they are more loving and more charitable than those around them.  Giving without expectation or the desire for repayment is just one identifiable characteristic of a true believer.  Whether we pass by a stranger begging for change, or a family member who needs help to pay the rent; if we cannot give freely we will not receive an eternal reward; may you always choose to freely give; may you love without restriction, and may you receive the ultimate compensation for your unconditional obedience.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, help us to be obedient, to be caring, and to be generous.  May we always freely give expecting nothing in return; for we desire heavenly rewards over earthly rewards.  May Your love for others flow through us, that our faith might be a light to all those who walk in darkness.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.”  God bless all of you.