Tag: eternal life

The Greatest Treasure

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13: 44 – 46)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this parable a man finds a treasure hidden in a field and immediately recognizes its value. Without hesitation, he sells all of his possessions and purchases the plot of land. The treasure found in this field is meant to represent the Gospel message. As followers of Christ, if we have been reborn and truly understand the value of salvation, then we will seek to share this message with those who are lost.

Jim Elliot was a man who understood the power of the Gospel message, and the need to help others discover the treasure of salvation. In the 1950’s, he felt called by God to journey to the jungles of Ecuador, where he married his wife (a fellow missionary.) In 1956, they sought to make contact with a warlike, and godless tribe of natives known as the Auca/Waodani. Understanding the risks, Jim and four other Christian men attempted to make contact with the tribe. All four men were speared to death by the savages and died as Martyrs. Although their bodies were buried, obviously these men are not dead, but alive with Christ. Prior to his physical death, Jim Elliot wrote an inspiring sentence in his journal. It reads, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (Through the continued efforts of Jim’s wife and other missionaries, many of the Auca/Waodani tribe eventually converted to Christianity.)

If you have never discovered the gift of eternal salvation, then I encourage you to ask God to reveal Himself to you. The Spirit of our living Lord is prepared to enter the hearts and minds of all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. If you desire this everlasting treasure, you can receive it at any time and be reborn. May all those who seek the truth find their Savior.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your mighty works. May we comprehend the value of Your gift of salvation and eternal life. May we receive You in a worthy manner, and spread Your gospel to the ends of the earth. You truly are an awesome and amazing God. 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 and Cursings

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

    “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.  Blessed are you who weep now for you shall laugh.  Blessed are you when men hate you […] for the Son of Man’s sake […] for indeed your reward is great in heaven […] But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.  Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger.  Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.  Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6: 20-26)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    The pronouncement of blessings and cursings was an intimate part of the Jewish culture.  Many Israelites would bring their children to the Rabbi’s to receive a formal blessing.  A blessing is a prophetic pronouncement of some future good in an individual’s life.  A cursing however, foretells of some impending calamity.  The blessings that Jesus conveyed upon the crowds were entirely dependent upon their reaction to His message.  Those who continued chasing after the passing pleasures of this life would ultimately enter into unending sorrow.  But those who chose to deny their own desires in order to serve God, would eventually inherit eternal rewards.  Without question, every genuine believer must embrace sacrifice.  Some common sacrifices might include wealth, a potential career, power, property, prestige, or any number of other selfish indulgences.  Because the path to peace with God includes enduring some manner of present pain, most will reject the gospel and continue in sin.

    To more easily understand this scripture, we need only look at the modern day credit card crisis.  Right now, Americans possess more debt than many previous generations could’ve ever imagined. This current epidemic is often the direct result of extreme self-indulgence.  When a person goes out shopping and they can’t afford an item, they might use a credit card to avoid denying themselves the joys of some passing pleasure.  But paying for things with money we don’t have doesn’t make the pain disappear; it simply postpones it.  Eventually the credit card company is going to come looking for their money; causing those who have fed their fleshly appetites to endure the suffering they so desperately attempted to avoid.

   Many people have spent their entire lives avoiding pain; constantly indulging in pleasurable endeavors. However, their suffering hasn’t been eliminated, it’s only been deferred.  They will eventually be required to ‘pay the check.’  Chasing after wealth, material possessions, careers, and even a good reputation can lead to an eternity of pain.  So then, self-denial is the way to inherit eternal blessings.  Volunteering, using our excess wealth to bless the needy, spending time listening to others, evangelizing, as well as visiting widows and orphans are just a few ways we can practice self-denial in this life.  By denying ourselves, we will become servants of the living God; and in the coming kingdom, we will receive the blessings of eternal life.

    “Lord Heavenly Father, help us to willingly endure the sufferings of sacrifice in this present time; that we might renounce our own desires in order to fulfill Your purposes.  May we deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow You.  Reveal to us where we can be more selfless; where we can be more giving; and where we can be more loving.  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 Hope of Eternal Life

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKS

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I also go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know; and the way you know.” (John 14: 1-4)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus confirms the existence of heaven in this scripture; a magnificent place where believers will walk forever in fellowship with God. In turn, there is no reason for Christians to fear death; nor should their hearts be troubled. Without exception, there is no death for those who are alive in Christ. This hope of eternal life in the future enables believers to abandon their selfish pursuits in the present; choosing to serve others today in exchange for an everlasting crown. Therefore, when a Christian dies there is more cause for joy and celebration than sadness and sorrow.

Around the year 125 A.D. a Greek by the name of Aristeides was writing to one of his friends about the new Christian religion. He attempted to explain the reasons for its extraordinary success. In one particular sentence he wrote, “If any righteous man among the Christians passes from this world, they rejoice and offer thanks to God, and they escort his body with songs and thanksgiving as if he were setting out from one place to another nearby.”

The bodily death of a Christian may initially cause sorrow in the hearts of those who are left behind. However, as the truth of their location is acknowledged, any remaining sorrow turns to great joy. They are not dead, but are alive in Heaven with God. The temptations of their flesh have been destroyed, and they are at peace in His presence. In turn, their funeral is a cause for celebration rather than sadness. If we too are faithful, we will see them again; and that hope is more valuable than great riches.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we know that death is not the end, and that one day we will be alive in Your presence. May we remain faithful and never lose hope in Your promise of eternal life. Give us the strength to continue walking in fellowship with You; that we may continue doing Your work in this place, until we are called home; a day that we are looking forward to with great anticipation. 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!