Spiritual Discernment

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JESUS SPEAKING

  He asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 13 – 17)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  Despite observing His numerous miracles, the disciples remained uncertain as to which biblical figure Jesus represented (some believed He was a prophet.) And yet God instantly accomplished a work in Peter’s heart; initiating a revelation of truth. Jesus was in fact, the Christ; the promised Messiah and the Son of God. This account represents what is commonly referred to in Christian tradition as ‘spiritual discernment;’ a supernatural understanding of right and wrong, as it applies to the truth, or any given circumstance.

  I once heard an elderly Pastor explain an experience he’d encountered during the early days of his growing Church. As more congregants arrived, the size of the facility became inadequate. Taking a leap of faith, he purchased a large piece of property on credit; supposing that God would provide for their financial needs. As it happened, a very wealthy congregant offered to pay off the entire loan immediately. Those bound by human wisdom would’ve accepted the offer. The Pastor however, carefully considered the proposition. In turn, God gave him spiritual discernment. Sensing that something wasn’t right, he rejected the man’s offer. Shortly thereafter, he was approached by a gas company that wanted to put a station in the area; they offered to buy a tiny sliver of land. The purchase was approved, and the money received was enough to pay off the entire loan. God eventually confirmed the correctness of his earlier decision, when he began having problems with the man who had offered to pay for the Church’s loan.

  ’Spiritual discernment’ is a precious gift from the Lord. The indwelling of His Holy Spirit provides those who believe with knowledge and understanding that transcends human wisdom. In this way, the faithful are often protected from the repercussions of sinful calamity and foolish decision m making. May we always hear the voice of God, and rightly discern our steps; that we may bring glory and honor to the one who saved us from death.

  ”Lord Heavenly Father, we understand the dangerous nature of human wisdom. We concede that You alone are the provider of all truth. Fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit, that we might practice genuine discernment. In turn, may we avoid sin and accomplish your good works. 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!

The Decision

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JESUS SPEAKING

  There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and one on the left […..] Then one of the criminals who were hanged, blasphemed Him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, this day you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 32 – 33 & 39 – 43)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  Jesus was crucified in the middle of two guilty criminals.  One man began mocking Him, but the other spoke up in His defense. This second man rebuked the blasphemer. He also acknowledged Christ’s innocence, divine authority, and eternal kingship. In response to this display of faithfulness, Jesus granted him everlasting life. In this world, our primary purpose is to raise Jesus Christ up, so that everyone can choose a side; either Christ is nothing, or Christ is everything. Although many will seek to prevent us from spreading the gospel, we must never waiver.

  At one point during Paul’s ministry, he entered the city of Lystra and began preaching the gospel. Although many were saved, a great multitude rose up against him and pelted him with stones. Believing he was dead, they dragged him out of the city. However, when the other believers had gathered around him he stood up, and instead of fleeing, he reentered the town. The next day they traveled the to city of Derbe to preach the gospel, but they soon returned to Lystra. Clearly, despite his near death experience, Paul never succumb to fear, but rather, continued raising up the cross of Christ; especially in places where others were seeking to pull it down.

  Like Paul, we as well have been given a mandate; we must raise up the cross of Christ in the center of this world. We cannot allow it to remain hidden, or permit others to tear it down. Many will choose salvation and repent. Still others will despise Christianity and seek the destruction of all those who carry the message. We must be brave; we must be bold, and we must be steadfast in our mission.

  ”Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You and ask for the strength to elevate Your Son upon the cross. May Your light shine in us and through us; that others might hear the gospel message and be drawn to You. May we remain faithful in this, our Christian duty. 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!

Never Lose Hope

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JESUS SPEAKING

  ’Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.’ (John 5: 2 – 9)   

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  A man who had been sick for 38 years lay beside the pool of Bethesda yearning to be healed. Despite the length of his infirmity, he remained faithful and never lost hope. In response to his enduring faith, Jesus performed a miracle in his life. After being made whole again, the man picked up his mat and walked away. Hope, like many other Christian virtues is powerful, essential, and everlasting. Those who have no hope in the future will sink into despair, and eventually die.

  As the story goes, one evening while eating dinner in Maine, a man fascinated his companions by telling them of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, in order to create a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was flooded, all improvements and repairs in the entire town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it was going to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the doomed town became more and more ragged, disheveled, and degenerated. Then the man added by way of explanation: ”Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.”

   Similarly, concerning Christianity, our hope in the future dictates how we behave in the present. Our faith is rooted in the hope of an eternal life with God in His kingdom. No one who genuinely believes this truth can ever sink into despair or be destroyed by any present circumstance. Although believers are not immune to suffering, we cannot be crushed by it; nor can we be robbed of our joy in the present, knowing that difficult trials may come and go, but God is everlasting.

  ”Lord Heavenly Father, we come before you with praise and thanksgiving. We yearn to be healed, as we hope in our future with You in Your kingdom. Increase our faith, that we may joyfully overcome the trials of this life and spread the gospel message to all those who have fallen into despair. With You there is a great hope on the horizon; may we never lose sight of that shining truth. 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!