Tag: Jesus speaking

Divine Appointments

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JESUS SPEAKING

And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, “The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” So the disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. (Mark 14: 13 – 16)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus gave His disciples specific instructions on how to find the location for their Passover feast. A divine appointment was orchestrated, so that they would encounter a man carrying a pitcher of water. By following him, the disciples discovered a room that was already prepared for them. The definition of a divine appointment is, “A specific, unmistakable meeting arranged by God for a particular purpose; not by accident or coincidence.”

In the book of acts the Apostle Philip was traveling along a road when he met an Ethiopian man studying a copy of the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood it. The man replied, “How can I unless someone guides me.” Philip then enlightened him concerning the scripture, which was a prophecy concerning Jesus. The gospel was preached to him and the man declared his faith in Christ. He was then baptized by Philip in water and went his way rejoicing. This divine appointment, orchestrated by God, led to the salvation of a man’s soul.

Even today, God continues to orchestrate divine appointments. Those who are willing to share the gospel message will inevitably encounter others who are seeking the truth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be used to guide many to Jesus Christ. May we embrace our calling and be zealous to win souls for God.

“Lord Heavenly Father, give us the strength and courage to reach out to those we will encounter who need to hear the gospel message. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and speak through us, that we might be used to guide many into Your everlasting kingdom. 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!

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!

Prophecy Proves the Bible is True

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JESUS SPEAKING

   Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all  things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For He will be delivered to the gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.  They will scourge Him and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again.” (Luke 18: 31 – 33.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

   On numerous occasions Jesus foretold of His impending death upon the cross; His suffering and crucifixion had also been described in great detail hundreds of years earlier.  Throughout the centuries, the old testament prophets (inspired by God) wrote about the arrival of God’s messiah; a solution to sin; a sacrifice that would once and for all put an end to the iniquity that separated the divine Creator from his fallen children (Jesus Christ was, and is that sacrifice.) 

   One important prophetic scripture comes from the book of Isaiah; a book that was written between 740 and 680 B.C.  Chapter 53 is particularly interesting because it describes the suffering of Jesus in stunning detail (hundreds of years before the crucifixion occurred.)  We read, “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, Yet he opened not his mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare his generation? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. And they made his grave with the wicked — but with the rich at his death, because he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see the labor of his soul and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant shall justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul unto death, and he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

   Only God can know the future; only the Creator can foretell of events before they occur.  Accurate prophecy is a characteristic which is unique to the Holy Bible.  No other book or set of sacred writings have ever correctly predicted anything.  The scriptures are the Lord’s reliable revelation; and they can be trusted.  As you read the word, remember, you are not simply reading a book compiled by men, but a book authored by God Himself.  May it inspire you, may it lead you, and may it transform you.

   “Lord Heavenly Father, we praise You and we thank You for providing us with the Holy Bible.  As we read it, may we approach it with reverence and respect.  Speak to us through Your word; with every sentence we read, and every page we turn, may our hearts be transformed. May we become more like You and more like Your Son.  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!