God’s Messengers

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JESUS SPEAKING

“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me, receives the one who sent Me.  He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.  And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.  And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10: 40-42) 

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In the culture of Jesus’ day, communication across long distances was accomplished through the use of messengers.  The Emissaries of one king would deliver his message to another King. To mistreat a king’s messenger was to mistreat the king who had sent him. Most messengers were treated exactly the same as the king would’ve been treated. Upon completing their task, an emissary would then return home and report his experiences to His master.  How he had been treated would dictate the health of any future relations.

God sent His Son into this world, and in turn, Jesus Christ has sent His disciples into the world to baptize and to make more disciples.  Over two thousand years have passed, and the links in a long chain of God’s messengers has never been broken.  When you receive God’s messengers you are receiving God himself.  The way to identify a genuine messenger is to determine whether or not he or she has twisted the message; to alter it in any way is to bring destruction down upon one’s own head.  Jesus said, “My doctrine is not mine, but His who sent Me.  If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.  He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the one who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.”

There are many false teachers and false prophets living today. They are not connected to the Apostles, nor to Christ, or to our heavenly Father. Anyone who has distorted the message must be promptly rejected. And yet there are many genuine messengers who are presently preaching the gospel of Christ. This unchanging message is, ‘that anyone who repents and places their faith and trust in Jesus Christ can be forgiven, reborn, and reunited with God.’ Those who believe will inherit eternal life and are then called to be disciples.. May we continue to carry God’s message to all those who are lost.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we thank You for all that You have done, and for all that You are going to continue to do. May we carry Your message into the world. As we seek to make more disciples, give us the strength and the courage needed to boldly spread Your gospel truth without fear.  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!

Serving Others

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JESUS SPEAKING

Just before the Passover feast, on the night that Jesus was arrested, he knelt down and washed His disciples feet. We read, ‘So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.'” —Jesus— (John 13: 12 – 17)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

During the first century, nearly everyone wore sandals. The roads and pathways were comprised of small stones and dirt; making daily foot washing an indispensable necessity. Servants and low ranking members a house were usually called upon to accomplish this filthy task. And yet Jesus, being the Son of God, lowered Himself down and washed His disciples feet; creating an example for all those who may desire to follow Him. Being a Christian means embracing a life of humility and selflessness. Rather than seeking to be served, we must strive to serve others.

There once lived an influential evangelical preacher named Gypsy Smith. One day he recounted the story of a woman who was interested in Christian work in London. She wrote him a letter stating, “I have a meeting I want you to come to speak to. It is only a small meeting and will take nothing of you.” He answered, “I cannot come, and it would be of no use if I did come. If it takes nothing out of me it will do nobody any good.” It is service which costs, and a cheap religion is not worth preaching.

Serving others represents the foundation of Christ’s earthly ministry. To follow Jesus is to embrace a life of selflessness and service. If we let go of our own wants and desires, we can more resoundingly accomplish God’s will in this place. Jesus said in verse 17, “if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” The word ‘blessed’ generally refers to the happiness that accompanies God’s favor. And so He promises that a service oriented life will bring us more joy than a self-centered existence ever could. By serving others we can know God’s blessings.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we pray for the strength and desire to live a life of service; to sacrifice for Your kingdom and Your glory. May we lay down our selfish concerns to better represent Jesus Christ; that we too might be an example of Your love in this place. May we care for our fellows, may we serve others, and may we receive the blessings that accompany genuine Christian living. 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!

Honor Your Father and Mother

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his home.” (John 19: 25 – 27)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Being Mary’s eldest Son, Jesus was obligated to care for His aging mother; who, during His earthly ministry, was likely a widow. Just moments before dying upon the cross, Jesus bequeathed His mother to the Apostle John; thus fulfilling the fifth commandment which states, “Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Honoring a parent entails elevating them to a highly esteemed position. Their words must be heeded and their righteous concerns obeyed. They must also be cared for and treated with great reverence and respect. Failure to do so constitutes a terrible sin.

As the story goes, an old grandfather once lived with his son’s family. His eyes were feeble, his hearing was dull, and his hands trembled. During dinner, his spoon would shake, spilling a portion of the meal across the table. Also, some of the food would dribble out from the side of his mouth. The man’s son and his wife became disgusted with this behavior. As a result, they made him sit in a corner behind the stove. He was also given an earthenware vessel to eat from. However, eventually he dropped the bowl and it shattered. The angry wife could no longer contain her emotions. “If you are a pig, then you must eat like a pig,” she screamed. They abruptly constructed a wooden trough from which he could eat. Some days later, they noticed their four year old son gathering tiny bits of wood together on the floor. “What are you doing there?” inquired his father. “I am making a little trough,” answered the boy; “for you and mother to eat from when I get big.” The child’s words caused the couple to cry. They immediately brought the grandfather back to the table; making no further mention of the messes created during their meals.

Like the couple in this fable, we are also called to honor our father and mother. To treat them with reverence and respect; no matter the circumstance. We have an obligation to ensure they are cared for and that all of their needs have been met. In so doing we will fulfill the fifth commandment, and thus enjoy the peace that accompanies every act of faithful obedience. May we be a blessing to our parents, that our Heavenly Father might pour out His blessings upon us.

“Lord Heavenly Father, You are an awesome and amazing God. As we yearn to obey Your commandments, fill our hearts with compassion and sympathy; that we might better honor and respect our parents. May we heed their words, listen to their instructions, and care for them when they are in need. 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!