JESUS SPEAKING

            “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.  And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’  “So I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’  And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.  I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me’” (Acts 26: 12-18.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

            There was once a very angry young man named Saul who passionately hated Christians; after Jesus ascended in to heaven, Saul traveled from synagogue to synagogue, beating, harassing, and even killing those Jews who openly professed a faith in Jesus Christ.  One day, while traveling to Damascus to persecute believers, God intervened in Saul’s life.  Jesus appeared to him and said, ‘it is hard for you to kick against the goads.’  [Oxen were trained to pull heavy plows; an untrained ox would often try to kick itself free.  In turn, farmers attached sharp pieces of metal to the plow (otherwise known as ‘goads.’)  When the ox kicked the plow, it would stab itself in the leg; the harder the kick, the more painful the sensation.  After a short time the animal would learn to accept its position.]  Like an untrained beast, Saul had been struggling against the call of God.  After his visitation, Saul finally quit fighting; he accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior; he also changed his name to Paul, and went on to write many of the letters in the New Testament.  Throughout history, some of the greatest Christian leaders have often been those who were once the devout enemies of God.

            Sir William Ramsay was one of the most influential scientific minds of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.  He taught at Oxford, and is credited with discovering several new elements; he also received numerous scientific awards and honors.  Ramsay had been raised as a non-believer; his parents were atheist (a disposition he also clung to for most of his life.)  He had little respect for Christianity; in fact he claimed that the bible was nothing more than “a book of fables.”  He began to study archeology and eventually he traveled to the Middle East in hopes of disproving the historical accuracy of the bible.  After 25 years of travel and research, he was forced to concede that even the most miniscule details of the New Testament were accurate.  Instead of writing a book disproving the validity of scripture, Ramsay wrote a book entitled “St. Paul, the Traveler and Roman Citizen.”  In it, he presented his findings; all of which supported the reliability of the bible.  Convinced by the evidence, Ramsay shocked his colleagues and fellow intellectuals by announcing that he had converted to Christianity.

            Like Paul, and like Sir William Ramsay, there are many today who are kicking “against the goads.”  God however, is still actively intervening in the lives of atheists, agnostics and nonbelievers the world around.  If you are raging against the call of God, stop struggling; give up, and give in.  Let the Lord in to your heart; He will replace your pain with peace; your hatred will give way to love, and your sorrow will turn to joy; if you would only surrender to Him, you would know true freedom; for you would come to know the eternal and everlasting God.

            “Lord Father, may Your perfect will be done in our lives.  We pray for those who “kick against the goads.”  Soften their hearts and cleanse their minds, that they may come to believe in Your Son, and in the redemption he has offered through his sacrifice.  May they embrace and receive Your free gift of salvation through faith.  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

                Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And he said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed in the boat by themselves” (Mark 6: 30-32.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Jesus sent the apostles out on a short missionary trip.  They were commanded to heal the sick, to cast out demons, and to preach the gospel throughout the land of Israel.  They returned with a good report; under his authority they were able to perform many miracles.  The crowds however, had not permitted them much rest.  The Lord saw that they had been wearied by the long hours, and needed to relax.  In turn, he led his disciples in to a deserted place; away from the crowds and the clamor of the ministry.  God desires for his children to have a certain amount of rest.  Rest is an essential part of maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual health.

                Nowhere in the world is work more highly esteemed than in the United States of America.  Many put their careers ahead of their families, their friends, and sadly, even their God.  Seventy hour work weeks at the office are not uncommon.  Currently, because of technology, the problem has gotten worse; people aren’t just working at the office; they are now working everywhere they go.  Many work while they are driving; some work at the gym; some work from home; some even work while on vacation.  All of this work has caused large numbers of people to neglect their need for rest.

                Jesus Christ recognizes that every human being needs time to relax.  Many of us walk through life without taking time out to recuperate.  Some of us have pushed ourselves too hard.  We need to remember that rest is essential, and that relaxation is a gift from the Lord.  Take time out to fellowship with God one on one; relax and allow your mind, body, and spirit to regenerate.  Give God a portion of your day; a time of peace and quiet reflection.  If you would only take the time to listen, in those still moments, you would hear the voice of God speaking to your heart, and you would grow strong.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to rest, and to take time out to fellowship with You; when we neglect our need for relaxation, speak to our hearts and help us to find the time to pursue peace.  In our moments of rest, we ask that You fill us with Your Holy Spirit; speak to our hearts and give us strength and courage to continue doing Your work in this place.  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

                Then one of the scribes came and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”  Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear oh Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, will all your mind, and with all your strength.’  This is the first commandment.  And the second commandment is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  So the scribe said to him, “Well said teacher.  You have spoken the truth.” (Mark 12: 28-32.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                A teacher of God’s law asked Jesus which commandment was the most important.  Jesus initially responded by saying, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”  The Jewish people were unique in that they faithfully believed in and worshiped a single God; an almighty and unseen creator.  The surrounding pagan cultures believed in many Gods (the Greeks for example revered at least twelve primary deities.)  Jesus continued answering the question by declaring the true meaning and purpose of life; all humans were created to fellowship with the one true and Living God; to love Him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.  The second law Jesus quoted commanded human beings to love each other in like manner.  The first and the second law are identical; for a complete love for God will lead to a supreme love for others; it is impossible to have one without the other [in 1 John we read, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar.”

                One day I was studying at the coffee shop.  I decided to go for a walk in the alley behind the complex; as I walked I prayed and worshipped God.  I was practicing the most important commandment, which is to “love the Lord [my] God, with all [my] heart, with all [my] soul, will all [my] mind, and with all [my] strength.”  After I had finished drawing near to the Lord in prayer, I headed back to the coffee shop; suddenly, God gave me the opportunity to love Him by loving another human being.  I glanced over at the intersection, and spotted an accident; a truck had flipped over on its side.  I rushed across the street and approached the vehicle.  After clearing away some debris I discovered that a woman was trapped inside.  I got down on my stomach and slid my head and one of my arms between the concrete and the driver’s side window.  I looked up and saw the young woman hanging in place by her seatbelt.  As the tears rolled down her cheeks, I reached out and took hold of her hand.  I calmly and lovingly reassured her that everything was going to be okay.  After a short time, the fire department arrived, and I told her I would continue to pray for her; amazingly, she had the sense of mind to say “thank you.”  I walked away from the accident knowing that I had obeyed the commandments of the Lord.  My love for Him had created the desire and willingness to selflessly love another one of His children.

                There is one God, and His two greatest commandments are actually one in the same (love God and love others.)  Those who draw near to the Lord become like Him.  He is kind; He is compassionate; He is loving; He is merciful; He is truthful; and those who love Him with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength are compelled to love others in like manner.  As you go about your day, connect with God in prayer; read the scriptures; cherish His words and keep them in your heart; contemplate the meaning of His statutes, and think upon His commandments continually.  May obedience be your goal, and faithfulness your foundation.  If you make God the priority in your life, then you will possess a supernatural love for others; a love that is unfading; a love that can never be denied; a love that can only come from the one true and living God.

                “Lord Heavenly Father we desire to draw near to You; fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  May our hearts and minds be completely devoted to You and to others.  Give us opportunities throughout the day to express our love for You, in the lives of all those we meet.  Use us Lord to remind the world of Your goodness and mercy.  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.