Anger is murder

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

                “You have heard it said long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.  Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin.  But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Mathew 5: 21-22.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                Very few evil offenses can rival the act of murder. And yet murder, like so many sins, is merely the outward manifestation of an inward disposition.  All of our actions originate from the depths of our souls. First century Judaism strongly stressed external adherence to the laws of God. Jesus however chose to focus more on the heart; thus placing greater emphasis on internal obedience. And why not? After all, murder is nothing more than hatred which has grown to full maturity; similarly laziness gives birth to poverty and adultery is the offspring of lust. Unless the heart is continually cleansed, evil will take root and produce a plethora of unholy actions.  God judges the inner man; therefore the believer must be diligent to maintain an unsaturated spirit. In so doing, they will simultaneously adhere to God’s commandments. (In regard to inward purity, Jesus once said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisee!  First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”)

                John Wilkes booth is one of the most famous assassins in U.S. history.  On the evening of April 14th 1865, as the U.S. civil war drew to a close, President Abraham Lincoln was watching a play at Ford’s theatre in Washington D.C.  Suddenly Mr. Booth crept up behind the president and shot him in the back of the head with his pistol (a wound that proved fatal.)  Although Booth escaped, he was later caught and killed. The enraged murderer had been a loyal southerner; disillusioned by what he perceived to be Northern aggression.  Abraham Lincoln’s death, although tragic, wasn’t the result of an assassin’s bullet; instead it was the offspring of fully matured anger. Inward hatred had led to the deaths of both John Wilkes Booth and the 16th president of the United States of America.

                Anger can never be contained; it is a seed that grows in to hatred; and hatred eventually produces sinful actions. The Lord has therefore taught us that anger and murder are synonymous.  God makes no distinction between the seed that enters the ground and the fruit that it ultimately produces.  Search your heart; if you discover anger and resentment then discard it; it can only serve to separate you from your creator.  Receive His Holy Spirit and God will cleanse you all unrighteousness.  Let go of your hostility, and you too will experience the freedom of absolute forgiveness.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, we ask and pray that You would let the truth of this scripture sink deep down into our hearts.  Please cleanse our souls of every evil thought and unholy desire.  Take away our anger and resentment. May we refrain from incorrectly judging others; knowing that you are the only righteous judge.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and transform us from the inside out.  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!

Blessings come from sacrifice

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

                So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life” (Luke 18: 29-30.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                All valuable things have a price; and eternal life is certainly no exception. Although salvation is free, reconciliation requires sacrifice.  The cost for following Jesus Christ is often quite high; most believers will endure persecution, affliction, and numerous hardships.  In turn, genuine obedience frequently produces loss; the loss of possessions, property, and prestige; the loss of a home, a career, and even certain family members and friends; some have even laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel.  Still, from the time of the resurrection until today, not one righteous sacrifice has ever been committed in vain; for God has promised to replace each offering with something far greater.  To die as a peaceful martyr is to live forever in the His Kingdom.  To lay down our earthly possessions is to grab hold of God’s eternal riches.  To suffer affliction for righteousness is to one day experience unending freedom and everlasting peace. And yet God’s rewards aren’t solely relegated to the heavenly realm. He also provides the faithful with many earthly blessings; wives, husbands, children, careers, possessions, etc.)

                Some time ago, while serving at my church, I met a pastor named Greg.  A few years earlier he had been the starting quarterback for a division one college football team.  As he headed in to his senior year, his future looked promising.  Many expected him to excel, and to eventually enter the NFL draft.  According to the world, his life was an example of success.  Yet God had other plans for Greg.  Before the start of his senior year, he felt the Lord calling him in to full time ministry.  After much contemplation and prayer, Greg chose to sacrifice any potential fame and fortune to serve God.  When he announced his decision not to return for his final season, his coaches were mystified; many of his friends thought he had gone crazy.  Those who were worldly thought he was making a very serious mistake.  However, approximately four years after making his decision, Greg told me he had never been more satisfied.  He is now joyfully serving the Lord; he also has a beautiful wife and a young child.  By sacrificing much he has received a number of priceless blessings in return; “and in the age to come, eternal life.”

                The Christian path requires great sacrifice.  Letting go of what is useless and grabbing hold of what is good isn’t without consequence.  Obedience to the Lord produces loss; yet for every earthly loss there is a heavenly reward.  Trust in the Lord; sacrifice any meaningless and unprofitable areas of your life and place them upon God’s Holy altar; submit yourself to His leading and you will experience all of the blessings that He has promised to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, help us to sacrifice our lives in service to You.  May we accomplish Your will no matter the cost.  Remove any sins that stand in our way.  Give us a new heart; give us new desires; may we die so that You may live.  We thank You in advance for the blessings You have promised to provide, and we submit our lives to You now in faith.  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.

Rejoice in Persecution

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

                “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mathew 5: 10 – 12.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

                From the time of the resurrection until today, true believers have always been verbally and physically persecuted for their faith.  Of the original 12 disciples, 11 were violently murdered, and the twelfth was imprisoned for life.  Throughout the centuries, the body of Christ has suffered affliction; millions have been martyred; many more have been discriminated against, despised, and socially ostracized.  Jesus said, “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.”  Because persecution is a sign of genuine obedience, many are able to take pleasure in adversity; in the midst of hardship the faithful are not without a sense of peace; for to endure pain for Christ is to experience great joy, and to suffer and die for him is to understand what it means to truly live.

                Throughout the fourth century, the Roman Empire was actively persecuting professing Christians.  In the year 320 A.D. a group of believing soldiers from Rome’s twelfth legion paid the ultimate price for their faith.  The Emperor Licinius decreed that every Roman soldier was obligated to offer sacrifices to the pagan Gods.  Forty Christian men refused to obey his command; in turn, they were immediately ordered to disrobe. After being marched on to a frozen lake they were informed that they could return to shore at any time, as long as they were willing to obey (the officers had even prepared hot baths for those who chose to relent.)  As they froze, the exposed soldiers huddled together and began to sing songs and to praise God; in their hour of suffering they expressed overwhelming joy.)  One by one, they perished.  Sadly, a single solitary man did relent; but astonishingly another soldier who had been observing the spectacle was so moved by what he had seen that he instantly gave his life to Jesus Christ; he removed his clothes and walked out on to the ice to join his dying brothers.

                Persecution is a part of genuine faith.  Those who oppose God, will oppose those who follow Him.  Obedience can produce much suffering.  When we suffer for righteousness, we can rejoice and be glad, knowing that we serve the Living God.  We must take up our cross; we must speak the truth; we must love without question, and give without stipulation.  We must walk by faith and avoid compromise.  In so doing, God will strengthen us in the hour of our greatest need; He will comfort us; He will give us victory; and we will inherit the riches of His Eternal Kingdom.

                “Lord Heavenly Father, as we undergo trials give us strength and fill us with Your Holy Spirit; that we may rejoice in suffering and persecution.  May we always praise Your Name; in good times and in bad.  May we never compromise; may we never be conformed to the image of this world.  May we live for righteousness and may we die for virtue.  Father, we love You, 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.