Brokenness

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind them to powder.” (Matthew 21: verse 42 – 44)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus was an outcast, hated by the religious leaders who ruled over the temple. They rejected Him, fulfilling the prophecy, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.’ In turn, Jesus became the cornerstone of a new temple, not comprised of stones, but instead made from the flesh and Spirit of individual believers. Those who are unwilling to abandon their pride will be crushed beneath the weight of Jesus Christ. However, those who fall upon the rock of salvation and are broken will know redemption. Broken things can be remade, reshaped, and reformed. Being fully broken allows God to remake us in His image. Thus brokenness leads to rebirth.

Horses are beautiful, powerful, and majestic animals. Over the centuries, they have proven beneficial to mankind in numerous ways; pulling, hauling, and plowing, etc. Many however have been used as primary modes of transportation. Today, any horse carrying a rider has undergone a process known as ‘breaking.’ The animal’s basic desire is to be free, to run wild and to do as it pleases. So, over the course of time, this rebellious nature is driven out of them. They are taught to embrace the bit and bridle, and to move without bucking. They are made to accept the straps of the saddle and to embrace the riders commands. When the horse has relinquished complete control, it has been fully broken. Only a broken horse can faithfully serve its master.

Like horses, human beings have desires and instincts that conflict with God’s commands. Pride and selfishness are obstacles that stand in the way of brokenness. When we thrust ourselves upon Christ, we relinquish control and are shattered. From these fractured pieces we are reborn, reshaped, and remade into the glorious image of our God. May we embrace change and relinquish control; trusting that God’s plan is far greater than anything we could ever ask or imagine.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before you as humble servants. May we embrace the brokenness that accompanies our devotion to Your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Create within us clean hearts, and give us the courage to spread the gospel with confidence and faithfulness. May Your temple of flesh and Spirit continue to grow and flourish, as it should, now and forevermore. We thank You, we praise 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!

John the Baptist

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JESUS SPEAKING

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'” (Matthew 11: 7 – 10)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

John the baptist was a prophet sent by God to prepare the people for the arrival of Jesus Christ. He lived in the wilderness, wearing uncomfortable clothes and eating wild locusts and honey. He preached a simple message with boldness and authority; “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The corrupt religious leaders despised John because people were abandoning them and journeying into the wilderness to hear the truth. If they chose to receive the message and repent, they would be baptized. This baptism was a public declaration of their commitment to abandon sinful living and embrace purity. They would then wait for the arrival of Jesus Christ, from whom they would receive salvation.

Today, wherever the gospel message is preached to unbelievers there should be an emphasis on both repentance and salvation. John was hated by many for one simple reason; he refused to compromise; his purpose wasn’t for people to feel comfortable but for people to feel convicted. Only through conviction and faith can an individual be reborn. Today, there are troubling trends occurring within the community of Churches claiming to be Christian. There are large churches that place an emphasis on a faith devoid of sacrifice; which does not exist. In turn, the messages presented rarely compel individuals to change. In such a way, lukewarm churches abound.

Today, Christians are tasked with spreading the gospel message to all those who walk in darkness. This message, which maintains an emphasis on repentance, will never be popular. Changing the gospel to make it more acceptable to man only creates greater confusion and unfaithfulness. Salvation through faith in Christ is not a wage to be earned, but allowing God to transform our lives is a decision we control. May we make that good decision today, and may we remain acceptable to God through the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we yearn to continue our transformation through the work of Your Spirit. May we submit to Your will and carry the gospel message to all those who are seeking the truth. May we never compromise or allow the gospel to be changed in any way. Through humility may we be blessed, and through Your mercy may we know Your ultimate affection. 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 name, Amen.” God bless all of you!

Avoiding Cults and Heresy

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10: 1 – 5)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

This world is teaming with false prophets and evil men intent on leading people astray. Yet every sheep who calls Christ their master is protected from the influences of false doctrine. They know the truth so well that any pernicious lies are easily recognized. A robust familiarity with the words and teachings of Jesus Christ is a blueprint for the destruction of cult leaders, and the twisted beliefs they interject into the faith. Know the words of the Lord and you will never be deceived by the false pronouncements of unholy men.

Joseph Smith, famous cult leader and founder of the Mormon religion, claimed he had received divine revelations from God. However, his heretical teachings are easily discerned in the light of Christ’s words. For instance, one of the foundations of Mormonism includes the construction of temples; buildings that are considered holy places where only the most sacred of rituals can be performed. These structures however are an abomination to the Lord. We know this because in John chapter 4, a Samaritan woman asks Jesus where the proper place to worship God is (at the temple in Samaria, or at the temple in Jerusalem?] Jesus responded, saying, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know, we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.” [This signaled the end of temple worship.] We are later informed by Peter that, “you also as living stones, are being built up, a spiritual house, a Holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” The Church is a gathering of believers, rather than the buildings in which they meet.

Any teachings that include the construction and use of sacred temples and holy structures are heretical and inconsistent with the voice, teachings, and example of Jesus Christ. The only way to understand what is evil and avoid being led astray, is to possess an intimate knowledge of the Lord. We must know His teachings and recognize His voice, that we may follow Him exclusively, as obedient sheep.

“Lord Father, Lord God in Heaven, we desire to remain in You, and to follow the teachings and example of our Shepherd, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and bring to our remembrance the words of our Messiah. May we know Him completely, and never be led astray by those who seek the destruction of what is good. 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!