JESUS SPEAKING

[As Christ walked with Peter along the beach, he said] “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”  This he spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God […] Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on his breast at the supper, and had said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”  Peter, seeing him asked Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”  Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow me?” (John 21: 18 – 22.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  He ate with them; fellowshipped with them; and encouraged them.  He also privately took Peter on a walk along the beach (the apostle John followed at a close distance.)  The Lord told Peter that one day he would be crucified for his faith.  Peter, then inquired about the Apostle John’s fate.  Jesus gently rebuked him (such matters were not his concern.)  Jesus reminded him to remain completely focused upon his Lord and Savior.  Peter had made a very common error; a mistake that is still prevalent within the church today.  Many wrongly focus their attentions on other believers; or on their circumstances; or even on themselves.  However, Jesus Christ demands the complete and undivided attention of every faithful follower.

How important is it to remain focused on Jesus Christ?  On another occasion the disciples were rowing across the Sea of Galilee when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water.  Peter filled with faith, yelled “Lord if it is you […] tell me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus replied, “come.”  Peter got out of the boat, and began to walk on water; but as he approached Christ, he began to focus on the large waves that encircled him.  Because he had taken his eyes off of the Lord, he began to sink; he cried out to Jesus saying “Lord save me.”  Jesus grabbed him, and pulled him from the raging sea.  Peter’s faith waivered because he turned his attentions away from the messiah.  We can all learn from Peter’s mistake; those who are wise will continually remain focused upon Jesus Christ.

This world is full of diversions.  We, like Peter, are all guilty of looking to the left and to the right; we have all misplaced our attentions; we have all succumbed to the numerous distractions in life.  Though we have failed in many ways, with God’s help, we can all once again refocus upon our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.  May our trust, faith, and hope in him never waiver; for in him we find our strength, our salvation, and our greatest victory.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we look to Your Son, and we place our faith fully in Him.  Remove any distractions or diversions that exist in our lives and in our hearts.  May our attentions always be focused upon You.  Continue to sanctify us, that we might be fruitful.  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

Now as Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed and is dreadfully tormented.”  And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”  The centurion answered saying, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.  But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!  And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.”  And his servant was healed that same hour. (Mathew 8: 5-13.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The Roman Empire had conquered the Holy Land in 63 B.C., and due to a continued threat of rebellion, there were soldiers permanently stationed there in the first century.  A ‘centurion’ was an officer in charge of 100 soldiers; they were usually men of impeccable character.  This centurion came to Jesus and humbled himself; he publically confessed his own unworthiness and praised the Lord; in so doing he honored God’s Son.  Jesus then honored the centurion.  He publicly exalted the man’s faith, lifting him above every Jew in Israel.  God continues to honor those who are lowly, and who exalt Jesus.  Our savior has said in another portion of scripture, “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Being Jewish was, and is, no longer a sufficient requirement for receiving the promises of God.  Instead, only those who humbly place their faith in Jesus Christ (like the centurion) will one day celebrate in God’s eternal Kingdom (with Abraham Isaac, and Jacob.)

In 1924 a Scotsman named Eric Liddell was expected to win Olympic gold in the 100 meter dash.  Eric had grown up in a missionary family and was a committed Christian.  He had been raised to faithfully observe the Sunday Sabbath (a weekly day of rest commanded by the Lord in the Old Testament.)  When Eric found out that the 100 meter dash was scheduled for a Sunday, he made the decision to ‘sit it out.’  He was pressured to run by his countrymen and by many other powerful people, but he was convinced that honoring God on His day was more important than winning a medal.  A few months before the Olympics, he decided to begin training for the 400 meter dash (this event was not on Sunday; however he was not expected to do well.)  When the day of the race came, while Eric headed to the starting blocks, an American trainer put a piece of paper in his hand; written on the paper was a verse from 1 Samuel 2:30, which read, “Those who honor me I will honor.”  Eric ran that race for God, and not only did he win the gold medal, he also broke the world record.  He pushed his own desire for glory down and lifted God up for the world to see.  So in turn, God exalted Eric above his fellows (When he returned to Scotland, his college classmates hoisted him up on their shoulders and carried him through the streets.)

Placing God in His proper position demands humility.  Honoring Him requires selflessness.  Our own desires become less important and He becomes more important.  He is righteous and we are unrighteous; He is worthy and we are unworthy.  We forgo the glory so that God may have what is His.  Only those who raise Him up in this life will be raised up into everlasting life.  Here we die, so in the future we may live.  There are so many ways to glorify God.  We can make Him a continued topic of discussion in our personal relationships.  We can pray to God, and seek His counsel daily.  We can give credit to God for the good works that we do.  When we do something for another person, we can say, “This is from the Lord.”  When a person attempts to thank us, we can politely remind them that Jesus Christ is the one they should thank.  When other people call us good, we can instruct them that our goodness comes from God alone.  May we continually place the focus upon Him; may we give Him glory; may we always honor Him; so that one day we might receive the honor he has so graciously promised us.

“Lord Heavenly Father, please give us opportunities to honor and glorify You.  Grant us humble hearts.  We want to be close to You, even though we are unworthy.  Help us to lay down our own desires in this life, to serve You.  May we, through humility receive the gift of eternal life.  We love You Lord, we thank You, and we praise You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.

JESUS SPEAKING

“I pray for them.  I do not pray for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.  And all mine are Yours, and Yours are mine, and I am glorified in them […] I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17: 9, 10, 15 – 16.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

God chooses some out of the world to be his disciples; those who are chosen are given to Jesus Christ as a personal possession.  They are heavenly representatives who exemplify the character, quality, and nature of God.  Despite receiving salvation, those who are called remain in the world.  They undergo the same human experiences Christ himself endured; temptations, tribulations, persecutions, pain and suffering.  As foreigners, and strangers, God’s disciples bring light in to the darkness; they are never called to retract from the world, or to remain hidden.  Jesus Christ has said, “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Mathew 5: 14 – 15.)

Some years ago I began frequenting a coffee shop in my local community.  God had blessed me with full time work on the weekends, which enabled me to do ministry during the week.  I met with people in the café; I counseled those who were confused; I prayed for those in need; and I preached the gospel to those who were lost.  However, despite being used by God in powerful ways, this place was not without temptation; there were vast numbers of women coming and going (many were dressed inappropriately.)  As a man, it took great effort and a work of the Holy Spirit to control the lust of my eyes.  One day I was speaking to another minister about these temptations.  He told me that he frequented a coffee shop down the street that was virtually empty.  After a few visits to this new coffee shop, God spoke to my heart and condemned my separatist behavior.  To flee from a place because of temptation would be to abandon the people that God desired to reach the most.  To detach myself from the world for the sake of personal comfort was a selfish and ungodly act.  I returned to my place at the crowded coffee shop, and even today, God uses me to reach out to the lost, and to be a light to those who walk in darkness [Note: Wisdom is required; for example, a recovering alcoholic should not frequent bars and clubs.]

This world is full of evil; but in the darkness, a great light has shown; that light is the body of Jesus Christ, and it remains in this place.  God’s representatives must never retract or remain hidden; instead we are to carry His message (in word and in deed) to those who walk in darkness.  If we only fellowship with Christians we have become useless.  If we shun those who struggle, how can we help them to endure and to overcome?  When we are more concerned with our own personal comfort ahead of the salvation of souls, we have forsaken the first calling of God.  Give your lives to Jesus Christ, and reach out to the lost.  Carry the message to those who are dying, and you will know eternal life.  Bring the light of the Lord in to the darkness, and God will bless you beyond measure.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You and we ask for boldness and courage.  May we never retract from the world; instead, may we be a light in the darkness.  May others look at our good deeds and see Your Glory.  Strengthen us that we may endure temptation and suffering willingly for the sake of those whom You desire to reach.  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