Warning Against Harming Children

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offenses come.” (Matthew 18: 5 – 7)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Young children are naturally innocent, faithful and pure. They share a closeness with God that even adult Christians are encouraged to emulate. Some responsible parents today attempt to shelter their children from the corruption of this world; thus ensuring their proper development. And yet there are those demonically depraved individuals who are like filthy beasts; they take pleasure in defiling the purity of little ones. These twisted people are the enemies of God; thus Jesus expresses the severity of the punishment that awaits anyone who harms a child.

I grew up in a home with a stepfather who was a child molester. As a boy scout troop leader and respected lawyer in our small community, he was able to hide his evil deeds for many years. He molested family members, friends, and acquaintances alike. He was skilled at robbing children of their innocence. As these victims grew into adulthood, most of them struggled with life; some turned to alcohol, some to drugs, and some to other forms of deviant behavior. Many suffered from psychological disturbances, relationship difficulties, and poor life outcomes. And yet, while his evil deeds went unseen by most, they weren’t hidden from God. The Lord’s wrath was being stored up against him. (Truly it would have been better “if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”) One day his entire life became a nightmare. He was arrested at his law office and led away in handcuffs. Having been publicly shamed, everyone he had ever known had abandoned him. His freedom, his family, his occupation, and his privileges in life were taken away. His once large home was replaced by a tiny prison cell; his bed became a cot. His suits were worthless, as he would never again wear anything other than prison issued attire. The judge sentenced him to serve decades behind bars. We later learned that he was likely being violated and abused by other inmates. The very atrocities he had visited upon little children were being visited upon him. He eventually died alone in that place. I am sharing this account as a warning to others. (Having become a Christian, I can only hope that he gave his life to Jesus Christ and was reborn before his death. I have forgiven him completely, because God has given me a new heart.) However, his life, his sins, and his eventual punishment represents a powerful example of how God’s wrath is poured out upon those who harm children.

Today, those who are Christian must aspire to protect children from the evil influences of this world. We must exercise caution and behave righteously in the presence of little ones; setting a good example without causing them to stumble. We must be mindful of what we watch, of how we speak, and how we act. If we choose to live as Christ lived, our children will grow and develop into believing adults. Children are special, and they have the Lord as their defender. We must tread carefully as we seek to edify them, build them up in the faith, and protect them from evil.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You now and stand in the light of Your divine presence. You are a just and righteous God. We pray for those who are lost; may you enter their hearts and convict them and transform them. Please continue to protect our children from those who would abuse them or destroy their faith in Your Son. Also Lord, help us to be good examples for the little ones in our lives. May they see Your goodness in us and choose what is right. 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!

God Made A Way

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3: 16 – 17) Jesus also said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father, except through Me.” (John 14: 6)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Since Adam initially sinned in the garden of Eden, man has been separated from God. A pure and holy Creator doesn’t fellowship with sinful people. And yet, in His wisdom, the Lord created a way through this barrier of sin and death by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross. This eternal sacrifice has the power to completely and permanently reconcile human beings to God. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and exercise obedience to His teachings, we are reconnected with our Heavenly Father. Only our faith in Jesus Christ is enduring and acceptable.

For centuries the Pacific and Atlantic oceans remained separated by the American continents. Ships carrying cargo had no choice but to sail around them in order to reach the other side. Many individuals had long dreamed of creating a waterway through a narrow section of land in the nation of Panama. Considering the amount of work needed to accomplish the task, most believed it couldn’t be done. And yet President Theodore Roosevelt thought otherwise. As president, he ordered the digging to begin in 1904, and despite many setbacks, the canal was completed in 1914. The mighty barrier had been breached. The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans had finally been united.

Like the Panama Canal, God has dug a pathway through the barrier of sin and death that separates Him from mankind. Those who place their faith in Jesus Christ can be reconciled with their Heavenly Father; permitting them to once again be united. The praise and honor for this amazing work belongs to God alone. We read “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8 – 9)

“Lord Heavenly Father, we pray for your unending grace, and we thank You for sending Your son to die for our sins, that we might be reconciled to You forever. May we continue to spread this good news to others; that they too might be saved and reunited with You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and give us the strength and courage to continue faithfully preaching the Gospel. 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!

Turn the Other Cheek

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKS

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I tell you not to resist an evil person.  But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to everyone who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” (Matthew 5: verse 38 – 42)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The natural human reaction to being slapped in the face is to respond in kind; reciprocating upon the attacker an equivalent amount of violence. Yet Jesus has instructed us to resist this temptation; and instead, to offer up our other cheek. How then does this act of submission serve to further God’s eternal kingdom? Simply put, unsaved individuals expect you to hit them back; which then leads to a brawl. As a result, any ensuing violence creates a veil; a cover that permits their evil hearts to remain hidden. However, responding to hatred with sacrificial love tears away this covering; revealing their own wickedness. Witnessing this genuine vision can convict people and lead them to repentance and salvation. Thus responding to evil with kindness is a powerful tool which serves to further the gospel message.

Some time ago I was involved in a road rage incident. While traveling at an adequate speed, I turned left into another lane. A large truck abruptly appeared behind me. The irate man clutching the wheel began honking his horn relentlessly. I eventually stopped in the left hand turn lane. The stranger pulled up beside me and exited his vehicle. After approaching my passenger’s side door he began pounding on the window as he continued directing his hateful screams toward me. Without provocation he spit on my window. During our ensuing discussion I informed him that he was speeding; a fact that I sensed he knew to be true. At any point I could’ve left my car and initiated a physical altercation. However, the Spirit took hold of my heart, causing my demeanor to abruptly shift. My agitation and frustration faded. I looked into the man’s eyes and said, “Well you have a blessed day Sir.” In that moment his anger faltered. The love in my voice had made his hatred less certain. As he attempted to continue the argument, I responded yet again, saying, “Well you have a blessed day sir.” Right then I witnessed his defensiveness flounder. I perceived in him the presence of remorse and shame. He had been convicted by my kind words. He slowly backed away, re-entered his vehicle and drove off.

Responding to hatred with more hatred is expected, but spiritually unprofitable. No amount of violence, retribution or harm can change a human heart for the better. And so we are commanded to respond to evil with affection. Only love can reveal the truth, convict hearts, and lead to the transformation and rebirth of a human soul. We cannot, of ourselves, display supernatural adoration. However, God can and will give us the mind and spirit necessary to accomplish such a daunting task. If we continue loving, giving, and following the Lord, we will participate in a great harvest and produce much fruit.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we revel in Your Holy Spirit and embrace Your calling. As we interact with the world, may we display Your supernatural love for others; returning good for evil, and kindness for hatred. May we participate in Your harvest, leading others to repentance and salvation through love. Remain in us always, as we can accomplish nothing without You. 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!